Ranchi: Disappointed at the Union Cabinet recommending President's Rule in Jharkhand, the JMM on Thursday said that it was not an alternative to an elected government, while the Congress said that it would abide by the decision of the central leadership.
"The JMM has made all efforts to form a government. We even sought more time from Governor Syed Ahmed. The state Congress leaders are also in favour of forming of government, but it did not happen," JMM leader and former deputy chief minister Hemant Soren told PTI.
"President’s rule is one of the alternatives in democracy, but elected government is a better alternative," he said.
"The House has a fractured mandate. The JMM (18 MLAs) does not have the numbers to form a government on its own. But it is not impossible to form a government if the Congress takes the initiative," he said.
JPCC General Secretary and spokesman Sailesh Sinha, on the other hand, told PTI, "The Centre took a decision as per the governor's recommendation. The governor had sent his report only after talking to different political parties, and no party had staked claim to form the government.
"Congress leaders and MLAs in the state are in favour of formation of a government. But we will accept whatever decision the high command takes in the interest of Jharkhand," he added.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, January 17, 2013, 17:32