Ranchi:
Days after a fractured verdict in Jharkhand, Shibu Soren has been invited by the Governor to form the government. Backing him is the BJP, the party that was gunning for him on the issue of tainted ministers when Soren was a Central minister during the UPA's first term.
The JMM supremo will be sworn in as Chief Minister on December 30.
"Soren will be sworn in at 2:00 pm on December 30, he told the Governor that the date would be convenient for him," Raj Bhavan source said in Ranchi. It would be an advance birthday gift for Soren, who turns 66 on January 11.
The Governor is expected to issue a formal communique in this regard only on Monday in which he is likely to fix a date for Soren to prove his majority on the floor of the House. The President's rule which is in force since January this year in the state is also likely to be revoked on Monday.
Once sworn in, this would be the 65-year-old Soren's third term as chief minister.
Soren, who has 18 MLAs in the 81-member Assembly, claims to have the numbers. "We have met the Governor and staked claim. We will form the government," he said, adding that, "We have the support of 43 MLAs."
The BJP and allies have 20 MLAs and the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) has joined the combine with its five MLAs. At 43, Soren would have two seats more than the halfway mark at 41.
Earlier, the BJP defended both its move to back a man the party was so vociferously against not very long ago, and the criticism then.
"Firstly you have to differentiate between a minister and an MP. If you include someone who has murder cases against him in your Cabinet, and you knew that the case was in advanced stage then the least you could have done is waited for the verdict and included him only if he was acquitted," said BJP leader Sushma Swaraj.
Ever since the Jharkhand elections threw up a hung Assembly, the BJP and the Congress have been lobbying to form the government. The deal was finally struck with the BJP, which agreed to give the chief ministership to Soren.
However, it is still unclear if the BJP will be part of the government or support Soren from outside. The Congress admits it could not rustle up the numbers to form the government. But many say that's better than taking the support of smaller parties who would have flexed their muscles.