Mounting pressure on the JMM-led Hemant Soren Government in the State, Babulal Marandi-led Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) on Wednesday met Governor Syed Ahmed, requesting him to dismiss the Government stating that it did not enjoy majority in the House anymore.
Marandi, leading a delegation to the Raj Bhawan, said that they would also request the Election Commission to look into the matter, if required. At least two JMM MlAs —Hemlal Murmu and Vidyut Baran Mahto — and one Congress MlA Chandrashekhar Dubey have switched sides. Also, two MlAs — Bandhu Tirkey and Chamra linda-supporting the Government have joined the TMC. “Since the Government is not going to resign on moral grounds, we have requested the Governor to dismiss Hemant Soren Government as per the provisions under the 10th schedule of our Constitution,” said the former Chief Minister, locked in a fierce electoral battle with JMM chief Shibu Soren in Dumka, said. “It is clearly said in the 10th Schedule of the Constitution that the membership of those MlAs who defect from their parties may be cancelled, said Marandi.
Referring to diatribe of disgruntled minister Simon Marandi against the Chief Minister, Marandi said that not only the Opposition but the cabinet ministers themselves are publicly saying the government does not enjoy the support of required numbers in the House. Incidentally, recently sacked Congress minister Chandrashekhar Dubey, who has joined the TMC, also served a 48-hour ultimatum on Wednesday to Chief Minister Hemant Soren to resign.
Dubey will also meet the Governor to “withdraw support” and request him to call a special session of the Assembly for floor test. “I have given him an ultimatum through a letter that he should resign within 24 hours as his government has turned into a minority. If he doesn’t resign I will meet the Governor on March 21 to withdraw my support from the government and demand to call a special session of Assembly for a floor test,” Dubey said.
Ironically, Dubey’s stand has apparently been not approved by TMC chief Mamata Banerjee. So, when asked whether he got any instructions from the TMC chief, Dubey said that he was free to take decisions about withdrawal of support from the government. “Whom will I take permission fromIJ When I was dismissed, it was the CM’s prerogative. Now it’s my turn. And I will show them my worth,” he added.
Also, other TMC MlAs in Jharkhand are of the view that the focus, now, should be on the lok Sabha elections and Dubey was free to meet the Governor. “This could be Dubey’s personal step but we are not in support of toppling the government,” said another new TMC entrant and Mandar MlA Bandhu Tirkey. Assembly Speaker, Shashank Shekhar Bhokta, however, said that he will take the right decision at the right time after examining the provisions of 10th schedule of Constitution. “I can definitely take suo-motto cognizance, but I will first examine the provisions of 10th schedule of the Constitution and then take decision on the issue,” he said.
According to Bhokta, the government has neither been formed with the support of JVM nor with an individual like Chandrashekhar Dubey alias Dadai Dubey and hence their going to the Governor will have no impact on the government. If Dubey meets governor and says that he has left the Congress party, action could be taken against him under the provisions of Anti-defection law. “I am waiting for the right time to take right steps in this regard,” Bhokta said.
Principal Opposition party in the State BJP, on the other hand, wants this government to die its natural death and is not in favour of taking a hurried step. “We do not believe in toppling any government. Why to hit someone who is on the verge of its own death,” said former Speaker CP Singh. “Illegitimate coalition of JMM and Congress formed in the State will definitely fall like a pack of cards as it has become a minority government,” added Singh.