New Delhi: In a damage control exercise after BJP's ally JMM supported the government in the cut motions in Lok Sabha, its MP Hemant Soren today claimed that it happened by "mistake" and made it clear there was no move to form a government in Jharkhand with Congress backing.
"It has happened by mistake. It is a human error which happens due to confusion during voting. We met BJP President Nitin Gadkari last night and explained to him the real position," Hemant, Rajya Sabha MP and son of Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren told PTI.
JMM's sudden support to the UPA on the cut motions had yesterday set off speculation that new power equations may emerge in the tribal state and alter the party's ties with coalition partner BJP.
A shocked BJP had said after the vote that it has taken note of Shibu Soren's act in Lok Sabha of "ditching" the coalition partner. Soren, still a member of the House, had made a rare appearance to spring the surprise on BJP.
Dismissing the speculation that there was any move to form a government in Jharkhand with Congress support, Hemant said, "It is all rumour. There is no truth in it."
BJP had earlier claimed that Soren and another JMM MP Kameshwar Baitha would vote with the NDA. Baitha, who is in jail, did not turn up.