Jharkhand CM rejects JMM's claim of power sharing

Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda on Thursday said he had in writing rejected major ally Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's claim that there was a purported power sharing deal between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the JMM.

"The issue (power sharing deal) which they (JMM) have raised had not been placed (during the formation of the government)," Munda told a press conference, without naming the BJP's ally.

He was replying to a media query about his reaction to the JMM's claim of a power sharing formula.

 "I have given point-wise replies to the issues raised through a letter by the ally and given to me by the party's legislature leader (Hemant Soren)", he said.

 "And I believe they will discuss it, keeping the coalition's effort in providing a stable government for the last two years in mind," he said.

Munda added that the coalition parties would keep Jharkhand's interest in mind while taking a decision.

On Christmas Day, Soren had submitted to the chief minister a list of certain issues, including clearing Munda's stand on purported rotational power sharing for 28 months each.

The JMM has convened two meetings on January 6 and January 10 to discuss the prevailing political situation and take a final decision on it.