Cabinet recommends President's rule in Jharkhand

The Union Cabinet on Thursday recommended imposition of President's rule in Jharkhand, which was facing political instability following the collapse of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition last week. The crisis in Jharkhand erupted on January 8 when the BJP's ruling coalition partner Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, in a letter to the Governor, formally withdrew its support to the 28-month-old government pushing it into a minority.

Following the pullout of the JMM, Chief Minister Arjun Munda resigned and sought dissolution of the Assembly. Governor Syed Ahmed then recommended President's rule while keeping the Assembly under suspended animation.

Jharkhand, which was created in 2000, has been placed under President's rule twice. In the 82-member state assembly, the BJP and the JMM have 18 members each. The Munda government had the support of six members of All Jharkhand Students' Union, two of JD (U), two Independents and one nominated member who has voting right in a trial of strength.

The main Opposition, the Congress, has a total of 13 members - Jharkhand Vikas Morcha(P) (11) and the RJD (5) in the Assembly. The CPI-ML(L), Marxist Coordination Party, Jharkhand Party (Ekka), Jharkhand Janadhikar Manch and Jai Bharat Samta Party have one member each besides an Independent.