Suspense over government formation in Jharkhand persisted today with JMM chief Shibu Soren,who is claiming the chief ministers post,saying he was keeping all options open while BJP hinted that it may support him. Soren,whose party has 18 MLAs in the 81-member Assembly,the same as that of BJP,was elected as leader of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha legislature party this morning and has been authorised to hold talks with other parties for forming government. BJP leaders,who have favoured extending support to any anti-Congress group in government formation,are likely to leave a final decision on the issue to the partys central leadership,a senior party leader said. The BJP has won 18 seats in the assembly elections,which threw up a fractured mandate,and ally JD(U) two. With 18 legislators of JMM it would reach a figure of 38,three short of the halfway mark. The All Jharkhand Students Union,which has five MLAs,said without specifying that it will support a combination which can give a stable government. I will support a combination which can give a stable and progressive government, AJSU chief Sudesh Mahato said. In case the AJSU and the BJP decide to support,the JMM can stake its claim with the backing of 43 legislators. The Congress,on its part,said the state needs a secular dispensation with can provide a strong and development- oriented government but did not spell out its strategy.
