By IANS,
Ranchi : The cabinet’s decision to recommend president’s rule in Jharkhand and keep the state assembly in suspended animation Thursday invited sharp criticsism from the BJP and other parties.
The 28-month Bharatiya Janata Party-led Arjun Munda government fell Jan 8 after Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) withdrew support from it. On Jan 8 Munda cabinet recommended dissolution of the assembly.
The BJP announced to hit the roads against the union cabinet decision not to dissolve the state assembly.
The union cabinet took the decision on the recommendation of Governor Syed Ahmed. The governor favoured imposing president’s rule while keeping the assembly in suspended animation.
“We condemn the governor’s report and union cabinet’s decision not to dissolve the state assembly. Today (Thursday) we are holding demonstration and Friday we will court arrest during protest,” Raghubar Das of BJP told IANS.
“The state cabinet decision to dissolve the state assembly should have been accepted,” he said.
The Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) has blamed Congress for not dissolving the assembly.
“We will take up the issue among people of the state. The state assembly should have been dissolved to give chance to people to express their fresh mandate,” Pradeep Yadav of the JVM-P said.
The JMM has welcomed the decision not to dissolve the state assembly. “We welcome the union cabinet decision. The two years of term is left in the current assembly. Parties should try to form alternative government and not impose election on people,” said Supriyo Bhattacharya of JMM.
The Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and some independents may support an alternative government led by the JMM.
If such an agreement were to be arrived at, the Congress, RJD and independents, along with the JMM could attempt a coalition comprising 41 legislators.
The state Congress leaders are in favour of formation of the alternative government but the central leaders are reportedly reluctant.
Of the 82 legislators in the state, 37 are in favour of fresh polls.
The 37 include 18 of the BJP, six of All Jharkhand Students’ Union (AJSU), two of Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and 11 of the JVM-P.