Tribal state Jharkhand on Tuesday once again came under Central rule after President Pratibha Patil accepted the recommendation of the Union Cabinet to this effect. Earlier in the day the Cabinet decided to recommend President’s Rule in the state, as the Congress and BJP gave up their efforts to form an alternative government following resignation of chief minister Shibu Soren.
Keeping in mind the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, the Centre has, however, decided to keep the state Assembly in suspended animation. Informing about the President’s nod to the recommendation, a Rashtrapati Bhavan official said, “The Central rule in the state has been imposed for the second time in two years.”
Earlier in the day, the Union Cabinet at its meeting, which was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, considered the report sent by Jharkhand governor M.O.H. Farooq and on the basis of the report recommended President rule in the state. The Centre had received Mr Farooq’s report on Monday evening.
Mr Farooq is understood to have recommended clamping of Central rule following his meeting leaders of major political parties in Ranchi. The Congress and BJP had both indicated their inability to form an alternative government in the state.
Mr Soren’s government was reduced to minority on May 24 following BJP, with 18 MLAs and JD(U) with two, handed over letter to the governor withdrawing support.
The BJP took the decision following Mr Soren voted against the cut motions sponsored by the Opposition in Lok Sabha on April 27. Mr Soren is still a member of the Lok Sabha.
Congress, with a strength of 14, and its ally JVM(P) with 11 members, had said it did not have the numbers to stake claim to form a government
Jharkhand, which has seen seven chief ministers since its creation on November 15, 2000, came under President’s rule for the first time on January 19, last year, which was extended by six months in July.