Thursday, September 14 2006 16:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Despite requests that she should name the new Jharkhand Chief Minister, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today (Sept 14,2006) refused to do so and has instead asked the RJD and the JMM to decide the leader in consultation with independent MLAs.

Congress sources said the party would support the formation of a non-NDA government in the state, which meant that the party was non-committal on joining the government. Gandhi, who is also the UPA Chairperson, has taken the decision after consultation with senior Congress leaders, UPA sources said here.

JMM chief Shibu Soren had, earlier, said that Gandhi would decide the next Chief Minister, while Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said his 'blessings' were with Madhu Koda, an independent MLA who led the rebellion against Arjun Munda Government.