Soren quits, no word on successor

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha supremo Sibu Soren submitted his resignation as CM of Jharkhand for the second time in four-and-a-half years to Governor Syed Sibtey Razi.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha supremo Sibu Soren submitted his resignation on Monday as Chief Minister of Jharkhand for the second time in four-and-a-half years to Governor Syed Sibtey Razi.

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Ins & Outs

May 23, 2004: Joins as Union minister for coal & mines

July 24, 2004: Resigns after non-bailable warrants are issued in the Chirudih massacre case

Nov 27, 2004: Returns as Union coal minister after getting bail in the case

March 2, 2005: Quits Union cabinet, sworn in as Jharkhand chief minister

March 11, 2005: Steps down after losing confidence vote

Jan 29, 2006: Back in Cabinet

Nov 28, 2006: Quits after conviction in Shashinath Jha murder case.

Aug 22, 2007: Acquitted in the case

Aug 27, 2008: Sworn in as Jharkhand chief minister

Jan 12, 2009: Quits after losing the Tamar by-poll

Razi accepted the resignation and asked Soren to continue as the caretaker chief minister till an alternative arrangement was made.

Earlier at 11.40 am, Stephen Marandi, the deputy chief minister, set the stage by putting in his papers.

Minutes later, Soren drove to Raj Bhawan with his wife Rupi Soren, son Durga and five ministerial colleagues to resign.

Soren said he responded to his soul after his defeat in the Tamar by-election. He said, “I waited for the UPA’s response to the selection of Champai Soren as the next chief minister.”

On Sunday, Soren sent a fax message to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Congress in-charge of Jharkhand Ajay Maken, apprising them of his party’s decision to continue with the United Progressive Alliance, with Champai Soren as the new chief minister.

Sonia remained silent, while Prasad asked Soren to resign first.