With BJP withdrawing support to the JMM-led Shibu Soren government in Jharkhand after the JMM chief voted for the UPA in the cut motion in Lok Sabha, the Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (P) on Wednesday said that the state was headed for a mid-term poll.
Babulal Marandi, a former chief minister and the JVM (P) chief, said no political party in the state had a clearcut mandate and mid—term polls should be held.
Criticising Mr. Soren for voting in favour of the government, he said without naming the BJP: “I will not accuse Soren alone, but the party which encourages such leaders.”
Mr. Soren was also dithering on the seat that he would contest for entering the Assembly in the mandated six months as he was still an MP, the JVM (P) chief said.
The JVM—P won 11 seats in the assembly elections in November last year, and ally Congress 14 in the 81—member House.
The BJP has 18 members, JD—U (2), JMM (18), RJD (5), AJSU (5), CPI—ML (1), UGDP (1), Jharkhand Party (1) and others (5).
Meanwhile, the AJSU, which has five members in the ruling JMM—BJP coalition, said it was in a “wait and watch mode“.
“We have learnt of the development. There has been no communication from any party. We are in a wait and watch mode,” the party’s Vice—President Praveen Prabhakar told PTI in Ranchi.
Jharkhand Janadhikar Manch MLA Bandhu Tirkey, who supports the ruling alliance, said he was observing the situation.
“BJP has to give a formal withdrawal letter to the state governor. Only after that can I say anything,” Mr. Tirkey, a former minister in the previous UPA government, said.
