Hours after the Union Cabinet decided to impose president's rule in Jharkhand, the Sibu Soren-led JMM on Monday, said all "options are still open".
Jharkhand was on Monday, placed under president's rule ending political uncertainty in the state in the wake of chief minister Shibhu Soren losing a by election which forced him to resign.
An unscheduled meeting of the Union Cabinet decided to recommend to president Pratibha Patil to bring the state under central rule and keep the 81-member assembly, which has its term till March next year, under suspended animation.
The Cabinet recommendation was sent to the president who approved it and sent it to the Home Ministry, official sources said.
The decision was based on governor Syed Sibtey Razi's report on the political deadlock in the state after the chief minister stepped down on January 12 when he failed to enter the state assembly through a bye-election within six months of taking over the reins of the state.
The state which went to polls in 2005 has seen three chief ministers with Soren becoming the chief minister on two occasions, BJP's Arjun Munda for 17 months and Madhu Koda, an independent backed by Congress and JMM, occupying the post for almost two years.
The Naxal-hit state has been in existence for the last eight years. The BJP came to power with thumping majority in November 2000 after the state formation. The BJP government was headed by Babulal Marandi was replaced by Arjun Munda by
the party in 2003.
Despite consensus eluding on the formation of an alternative government, several political leaders were hopeful that a government can still be formed.
"If any party has adequate numbers, a government can still be formed in Jharkhand. We opted for president's rule as there was no consensus among UPA allies on forming alternative government right now," RJD supremo Lalu Prasad told reporters.
The Sibu Soren-led JMM on Monday, announced that all "options are still open".
"None of the UPA constituents - JMM, Congress and RJD - want president's rule in the state. Though, the state has come under president's rule, all options are still open," JMM MP and party general secretary Suman Mahato said.
There was a flurry of political activity as JMM leaders held consultations with Congress and RJD to pick a consensus candidate in the state.
JMM chief and outgoing state chief minister Soren accompanied by other ally leaders will soon hold negotiations with senior coalition leaders here to work out an alternative government in Jharkhand.
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