Cabinet to decide on Prez rule in Jharkand

A meeting of the Union Cabinet has been convened on Monday and is expected to take a decision on imposing President's Rule in Jharkand following a recommendation by the state Governor.

A meeting of the Union Cabinet has been convened on Monday and is expected to take a decision on imposing President's Rule in Jharkand following a recommendation by the state Governor in the wake of the political turmoil in the state.

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A meeting of the Union Cabinet has been convened tomorrow, which is likely to decide on the Jharkand issue, official sources said.

Governor Sayyed Sibte Razi on Friday last had sent a report to the President recommending Central rule and putting the Assembly in suspended animation. The report was forwarded to the Government.

Razi is understood to have cited political instability in the state for making his recommendation after the ruling JMM-led coalition failed to reach a consensus on a new chief minister after JMM supremo Shibu Soren stepped down on January 12 following mounting pressure after he lost a Assembly by-poll. No other political formation has also come forward to stake claim to form an alternative government.

The Jharkand unit of Congress has already hinted that the delay in choosing a successor to Soren may lead to imposition of president's rule. Soren is in hospital since Jan.13 following complaints of high blood pressure.

Shibu has named party MLA Champai Soren as his successor, which was rejected by his allies Congress, RJD and some independent MLAs which provide crucial support to the Soren ministry. The two Sorens are not related. The main opposition BJP has demanded fresh elections.

RJD supremo Lalu Yadav does not favour President's rule in the mineral-rich state. State RJD leader Annapurna Devi said in Ranchi that central rule should be imposd only as a last resort. JMM being the single largest party in the ruling UPA coalition should take the initiative in hammering a consensus, she said.