Jharkhand Governor C P Radhakrishnan met five legislators of the ruling JMM-Congress alliance on Thursday evening, a day after JMM leader and Hemant Soren loyalist Champai Soren staked claim to form the government in the state.
Hemant Soren had submitted his resignation to Governor C P Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday night, moments before his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate.
While the JMM-Congress alliance had immediately proposed appointing Champai as the leader of the legislature party, the Governor had told them on Wednesday night that he would revert after considering all legalities. Champai again wrote to the Governor on Thursday seeking time to meet at 3 pm alongside all MLAs, but they were given a time of 5.30 pm, and only five legislators were allowed.
Jharkhand Governor C P Radhakrishnan met legislators at 5.30 pm and told them he needs more time to revert to their proposal to appoint Champai Soren as leader of the legislature party.
After the meeting, Champai said the ruling coalition had demanded government formation at the earliest, but was told by the Governor that he would revert soon.
MLA Pradeep Yadav, one of the five legislators who met the Governor both last night and on Thursday, told The Indian Express: “We had gone to meet the Governor to stake claim to form the government. However, the Governor sought time to revert after considering the legalities. We told the Governor that much time has already passed and he assured us that he will hopefully revert by tomorrow.”
According to sources, such has been anxiety in the ruling camp that they have a “plan B” ready in case things don’t go according to plan – flying all JMM-Congress legislators to Hyderabad. The Congress is in power in Telangana. Sources, however, insisted this is a mere contingency measure and they hope things won’t come to such a pass.
