Shibhu Soren’s continuation as Jharkhand chief minister (CM) is in grave doubt after he lost a by-election from Tamar to Jharkhand Party’s Gopal Krishna Patar.
Shibhu Soren’s continuation as Jharkhand chief minister (CM) is in grave doubt after he lost a by-election from Tamar to Jharkhand Party’s Gopal Krishna Patar by 9,062 votes. He is only the second CM to lose an election while in office. The first was former Uttar Pradesh CM Tribhuban Narayan Singh, who too had lost a by-election in the 60s.
With this, the state appears headed for yet another president’s rule. Pressure has begun to mount on Soren, even from allies, to accept the verdict and resign. Within hours of the election result, NCP and Congress indicated he should consider resigning.
“He should respect the verdict of the people and resign,” NCP spokesperson DP Tripathi said. Congress too offered little comfort and hinted the only option available to Soren was quitting. “We are not power hungry, majority is still with the UPA,” AICC in-charge of Jharkhand Ajay Maken said.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Soren appeared resigned to his fate and indicated to the media in Ranchi that he would make up his mind (on whether to continue in office of not) after consulting the UPA leadership at the Centre. He is expected to meet UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and RJD chief Lalu Prasad before taking a final decision in the matter.
“I accept the defeat. I will go to Delhi today or tomorrow and meet the UPA leadership. I will also meet state UPA chairman Madhu Koda and other allies,” Soren said.
This is not the first time that Soren has had to quit mid way during his chief ministership. He had earlier resigned on March 11, 2005, nine days after he became CM. Soren took oath as CM last year on August 27 and was contesting a by-poll to become a member of the state assembly in the stipulated 6-month period, which ends on February 27.
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