Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren might find it difficult to win the trust vote his government faces May 31 as the major political parties in the state are set to vote against him.
"BJP has a clear stand to vote against the Soren government. We will go to the people of the state and apprise them about the prevailing political situation," state BJP president Raghubar Das told reporters.
He also blamed the Congress for playing dirty politics.
"Congress is trying to grab power by threatening imposition of President's Rule in the state," Das said.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led government was reduced to a minority after the BJP withdrew support Monday. Two legislators of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) also pulled out Wednesday.
The JVM-P, which 11 legislators, also declared that it would vote against Soren.
"The Soren government should be dismissed immediately. If he goes ahead to seek trust vote, then we will vote against it," JVM-P legislature party leader Pradeep Yadav told reporters.
But the JMM is confident of winning the trust vote though party leaders did not reveal who would support Soren.
The JMM has authorized Soren's son Hemant and legislator Champai Soren to hold talks with the BJP and it has also authorised two legislators, Simon Marandi and Teklal Mahto, to hold talks with the Congress.
The Congress, meanwhile, is following a wait-and-watch policy though party sources said it would like Soren to quit before May 31.
"We are following a wait-and-watch policy," Jharkhand Congress general secretary Shailesh Sinha told reporters.
In the 81-member assembly, Soren needs the support of 41 legislators.
The JMM and BJP have 18 legislators each. The Congress and JVM-P have 14 and 11 legislators, respectively, while Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) have five each. The JD-U has two and the remaining eight are either independents or belong to smaller parties.
At present, Soren enjoys the support of 25 legislators, including two independents. JMM needs the support of at least 16 more legislators, which is not possible without the support of either the Congress or BJP.
IANS
First Published: Friday, May 28, 2010, 16:43