Ranchi, August 26: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today demanded dissolution of the Jharkhand assembly and holding of elections at the earliest.
“It is surprising that the assembly (now in suspended animation) is not being dissolved when no party or group has staked claim for formation of government. It should be dissolved immediately to pave way for early polls,” Kumar said.
Addressing the Janata Dal(U)’s Jharkhand unit meeting here, Kumar blamed the Centre for persisting with President’s rule.
“President’s rule is never an alternative to a popular government. The people should be given a chance to choose their representatives afresh,” Kumar said.
Jharkhand, which was created on November 15, 2000, has had several governments led by the NDA and the UPA before the UPA government headed by Shibu Soren assumed power on August 27, 2009,
On January 12, 2009 Soren resigned after failing to qualify to the House in the bypolls from Tamar and President’s rule was imposed on January 19 this year for six months keeping the House under suspended animation. It was later extended for another six months in July.
Sailendra Mahato, who had quit the JMM, the BJP and the AJSU party during the last eight years, today joined the Janata Dal (U) in the presence of Kumar.
—Agencies