M A I N   N E W S

Soren stakes claim to form govt
Submits list of 42 MLAs; swearing-in likely on Tuesday
Power pact
n 2 deputy CMs — Jharkhand BJP chief Raguvar Das, AJSU chief Sudesh Mahto n Speaker’s post goes to BJP; Ranchi MLA CP Singh likely to don the mantle 
n JMM, BJP to have four ministers each. AJSU to get two ministerial berths while one minister to be from JD(U) 
Sanjay Singh writes from Ranchi

Setting all speculation to rest, JMM chief Shibu Soren formally staked his claim to form the government today by meeting the Jharkhand Governor, K Shankarnarayan, at Raj Bhawan here. He submitted a list of 42 MLAs (18 from the BJP, 18 of JMM, five from the AJSU and an Independent) to the Governor claiming their support to his government in the 81-member House.

The JD(U) having two MLAs is yet to give a formal letter supporting the JMM in government formation. However, the BJP leaders claimed that it was just a technical formality and the letter from the JD(U) would soon be with them.

When Soren reached Raj Bhawan at 3 pm, he was accompanied by 41 MLAs, besides some top leaders of BJP like Anant Kumar, Yashwant Sinha, Karuna Shukla and Arjun Munda. The newly elected Legislature party leader of BJP, Raghuvar Das, and Sudesh Mahto of All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) also submitted separate letters expressing support of their party MLAs to Soren.

Outside the Raj Bhawan, the JMM supporters were shouting slogans and bursting crackers to celebrate the occasion. The Raj Bhawan secretariat is likely to organise the oath-taking ceremony of new Chief Minister and his cabinet on Tuesday when the offices are open.

The structure of new government, as finalised between the coalition partners, reportedly has provisions of two Deputy Chief Ministers -- one for state BJP chief Raguvar Das and another for AJSU chief Sudesh Mahto.

The post of Speaker has gone to BJP and party sources indicated that Ranchi MLA CP Singh who is four-time MLA would most likely don the mantle. The JMM and BJP having equal strength in the newly constituted House will have four ministers each, the AJSU with five MLAs has been given two ministerial berths and JD(U) with only two MLAs will also get one berth in Soren’s cabinet. The portfolios have also been decided between them but it could not be known.