With the BJP and the JMM having already agreed to share power on a rotational basis and a BJP-led government to take over in a week, Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren on Thursday declined to give a specific date for his resignation.
“That could be BJP’s date, but not mine. When I have to resign, I will resign,” Mr. Soren told the media in Bokaro when asked whether he would quit on May 25, a date given by the BJP and the AJSU on May 18.
On May 18, when the agreement had been reached between the two parties for sharing power on a rotational basis, Mr. Soren had not given a specific date for stepping down.
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Asked whether he was still hopeful of contesting a bypoll to enter the Assembly, which he must do constitutionally by June 30, the Chief Minister replied, “Let me see.”
BJP had announced its decision to withdraw support to the Shibu Soren government on April 28 after the JMM chief voted against the BJP-sponsored cut-motions in the Lok Sabha.
However, after Mr. Soren’s son Hemant made an offer to the BJP to head the government in the State, the BJP revoked its decision, but a tussle ensued on the power-sharing formula.
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The BJP then announced that it would head a new coalition for the remainder of the tenure with support from alliance partners JMM and AJSU. The same evening Mr. Soren said the new government would be on a rotational basis, causing a stalemate.