In a house of 81 seats, the Shibu Soren-led JMM, fighting on its own, secured 18 seats and was being wooed by both the major combinations for forming the government.
Jharkhand elections today returned a fractured verdict in which Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) appeared to be holding the key to the new government, as the Congress-Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik( JVM(P)) alliance emerged the single largest group and could be having an edge.
Continuing its good electoral run since the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress, which fought in alliance with the Babulal Marandi led-JVM(P), bagged 13 seats, while its partner got an impressive 10 seats in its electoral debut.
In a house of 81 seats, the Shibu Soren-led JMM, fighting on its own, secured 18 seats and was being wooed by both the major combinations for forming the government.
Indications of a tough bargain came from JMM, which said that the party's support would go to anyone who would support "Guruji", the name by which Soren is fondly called by his admirers.
Reeling under a string of electoral debacles, the BJP failed to break the jinx when its tally fell to 18 from 30 in the 2005 elections. Its ally JD(U) managed a paltry two as against six it had.
Another party which could play an important role is RJD, Congress' former ally and now outside supporter of the UPA government at the Centre. Lalu Prasad's party has got 5 seats that could be crucial to formation of a government of a secular combine.
Both the Congress and BJP made it clear that they were keen on forming a government in which 13 MLAs belonging to the 'Others' category and independents would be much-sought after by rival combinations.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}