Dissolve assembly immediately: BJP tells Jharkhand guv

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday urged Jharkhand Governor Syed Ahmed, who has recommended placing the assembly in suspended animation, to dissolve the House to pave the way for mid-term polls in the state.

Outgoing Chief Minister Arjun Munda had recommended dissolution of the House, following a cabinet decision to the effect before tendering his resignation to the governor on January 8, after coalition partner Jharkhand Multi Morcha withdrew its nsupport.

Handing over a memorandum to the governor at the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi, the BJP delegation led by its state unit chief Dineshanand Goswami told Ahmed that any delay in dissolving the House could lead to horse trading, which Jharkhand was infamous for.

The Union Cabinet meeting on Thursday will consider the governor's report recommending suspended animation of the assembly against the backdrop of the reluctance by major political parties to form a government in the present juncture, given the delicate numbers in the assembly.

In the 82-member state assembly, BJP and JMM have 18 members each. The Munda government had the support of six members of Ajsu Party, two of Janata Dal - United, two independents and one nominated member who has voting right in a trial of strength.

The Opposition Congress has a total of 13 members, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha has 11, Rashtriya Janata Dal has five. Communist Party of India - Marxist-Leninist Liberation Marxist Coordination Party, Jharkhand Party - Ekka, Jharkhand Janadhikar Manch and Jai Bharat Samta Party have one member each, besides an independent.