http://in.rediff.com/election/2005/mar/11soren.htm
Shibu Soren resigns on Centre's bidding
Onkar Singh in New Delhi | March 11, 2005 22:23 IST
Last Updated: March 11, 2005 23:39 IST
Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren resigned on Friday night after he
failed to obtain a vote of confidence in the assembly as directed by
the Supreme Court.
Raj Bhavan spokesman A N Jha told rediff.com over phone from Ranchi
that Soren put in his resignation papers at around 2300 hours.
The Centre asked Soren to resign after a meeting of the Cabinet
Committee on Political Affairs convened by Prime Minsiter Manmohan
Singh.
Singh was said to be upset over the political developments in
Jharkhand and held consultations with allies on the matter.
Ahead of the meeting, he held a round of discussions with Leftist
leaders Harkishen Singh Surjeet, Prakash Karat and Abani Roy and spoke
to Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad and Dravida Munnetra
Kazhagam leader M Karunanidhi over telephone.
After the meeting, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said Soren should
resign and the possibilities of installing an alternative government
should be explored.
The new government should be asked to seek the vote of confidence in
three-four days, he said.
Patil said constitutional propriety demanded that the incumbent
government should resign.
He said Singh and his government were determined to see that the
Constitution was followed in letter and spirit.
--
Cheers,
Gabe Menezes.
London, England
