Ranchi, Jan 8: Jharkhand Cabinet today decided to recommend dissolution of the state assembly to prevent any "horse trading-like situation", a day after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha withdrew its support to the BJP-led government.
"Seven ministers (of the coalition government) were present during the Cabinet meeting, and it has decided to recommend dissolution of the state assembly," Chief Minister Arjun Munda told PTI here.
He said the decision was taken as no national party had openly come forward to provide an alternative government in the wake of the JMM's announcement to pull out of the government.
"We have sought time from Governor Syed Ahmed at 11.30 AM to inform him about the Cabinet decision," Munda, who took over the reins on September 11, 2010, said.
Meanwhile, Raj Bhavan sources said the JMM has submitted its letter of withdrawal of support to the Arjun Munda-led BJP government.
JMM leader and Deputy Chief Minister Hemant Soren had said yesterday that the decision to withdraw support was taken at the party's executive committee meeting after talking to several BJP leaders, including its Jharkhand affairs in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan.
In the 82-member state assembly, BJP and JMM have 18 members each and the Munda government enjoys the support of six members of All Jharkhand Students' Union, two of JD (U), two independents and one nominated member who has voting right in trial of strength.
Opposition Congress has a total 13, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha(P)11 and RJD 5 members in the assembly.
JMM had put before BJP 'over phone' certain issues, including the "ruling by rotation". The 28-month limit for ruling by BJP, according to the tribal party, ends on January 10.
Relations between BJP and JMM have come under strain since the Chief Minister, in a written reply to a letter from JMM on January 3, rejected that there was an agreement between the two parties on "rotation of power" after 28 months in office.
