National

BJP sees Congress’ role in Soren’s defeat

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party demanded immediate resignation of the Shibu Soren government and imposition of President’s Rule in the State, within hours of Mr. Soren losing the by-election from Tamar on Thursday.

Party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said a fresh mandate was necessary as the “political entrepreneurship” in the State had taken corruption to unimaginable levels.

Describing the happenings in Jharkhand as the “theatre of the absurd,” Mr. Prasad said Mr. Soren and his government should forthwith resign as the drubbing he received was an indication that people had rejected him as the Chief Minister.

If Mr. Soren refused to resign, his government ought to be dismissed and President’s Rule imposed, Mr. Prasad said adding that his view was that Assembly elections in the State could be held along with the Lok Sabha election.

Mr. Prasad said it was the Congress that had done him in. “It fits in with the Congress’ use-and-throw politics,” he said, referring to the Congress’ help in making him the Chief Minister soon after the trust vote in Parliament in July last. It was the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal that persuaded Mr. Soren to contest from Tamar rather than another constituency where he would have been more comfortable. The Congress conspired to get him defeated, he alleged.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu