July’s warmth thawed the chill of January 2013. Resignations and withdrawals of support were replaced by letters of support. Raj Bhavan threw open its doors to political flocks on Tuesday.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday returned to stake claim for chief ministership,
accompanied by his ‘retiring’ father and JMM patriarch Shibu Soren.
After days of ‘give and take,’ Hemant finally reached the magic figure, which he handed over to Governor Syed Ahmed. His letter of support carries names of 43 MlAs, including runaways Sita
Soren and Nalin Soren, out-on-bail Enosh Ekka and Harinarayan Roy and convicted Sawana lakra.
The Governor has not yet given Soren Junior the time to prove majority, though he is likely to be called in on Wednesday or Thursday for taking oath.
A beaming Hemant thanked independents, saying, “The curtains have now come down on the last six months of President’s Rule. A new alliance that includes JMM, Congress, RJD and independents is taking the initiative to put in place a democratic system.”
“Today, the JMM submitted a letter of support from 43 friends to the Governor and requested him to pave way for formation of a popular Government,” he added, expressing confidence in the success of his Government. When asked about oath-taking and proving majority in the House of 82, Hemant said he was ready and it all depended on the Governor.