Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren resigned Monday following an ultimatum set by his allies in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in the wake of his defeat in a by-election he needed to win. He wants fresh polls if his nominee is not made the next chief minister.

Soren handed over his resignation to Governor Syed Sibte Razi. He was accompanied by his cabinet members.

He immediately told reporters outside the governor's house that he would prefer fresh polls in the state if his nominee from his party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, was not appointed chief minister in his place. Shibu Soren had Sunday said he wanted Champai Soren of his party to be the next chief minister.

A few minutes earlier, Deputy Chief Minister and independent legislator Stephen Marandi had also resigned to protest the chief minister's delay in quitting the post.

Soren, who became chief minister in August 2008, needed to be elected to the state assembly by Feb 27 under the constitutional requirement but he lost the Tamar by-election last week.

 

Source : ians