Razi to reduce time for Soren trust vote

The Governor will decide on time frame that would be given to CM reducing it from already announced March 21.

Under attack over his controversial decision to swear in JMM chief Shibu Soren as Chief Minister, Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibte Razi on Friday announced that he would advance the date for trial of strength in the assembly before March 21 deadline given to the new government.

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After a 30 minute meeting with President APJ Abdul Kalam, who had summoned him, the beleaguered Governor said "the way the situation has developed, I am going to pre-pone the date for proving majority (by the Government) by reducing the time for the purpose".

Asked when it would be held, he said a decision would be taken after holding talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Shivraj Patil and consulting various parties.

Pointedly asked whether his Friday's decision was at the behest of any Presidential directive, he said, "it is not a good tradition to divulge the details of what transpired between Governor and President".

The Governor said he presented all the "constitutional and legal aspects" to the President who gave him a "patient hearing".