BJP-JMM to rule Jharkhand again

The BJP on Tuesday staked claim to form the government in Jharkhand — with the support of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the All Jharkhand Students Union Party (AJSU) and the Janata Dal-United (JD-U). B Vijay Murty reports.

The BJP on Tuesday staked claim to form the government in Jharkhand — with the support of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the All Jharkhand Students Union Party (AJSU) and the Janata Dal-United (JD-U).

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Jharkhand has been under President's Rule since June 1 when an alliance government of the same parties collapsed amid mutual recriminations.

State BJP president Raghubar Das called on Governor M O H Farook and submitted a list of 45 legislators from the four parties, along with two independents, all of whom would support the BJP-led government in the 82-member house. Soon after, the governor recommended that president's rule be revoked.

Arjun Munda, leader of the BJP in the assembly, will head the new government.

If it is formed, this will be the eighth government since the mineral rich state was formed in 2000.

"People want an elected government in the state," Munda said, justifying the decision to join hands with a party that has ditched the BJP in the past.