RANCHI: Sitting BJP MLA from Kharsawan Mangal Singh Soy on Tuesday resigned to pave way for chief minister Arjun Munda to become a member of assembly.
At present Munda is Lok Sabha MP from Jamshedpur and he needs to become a member of assembly before March 11. According to provisions of Representation of People's Act, a non-member of the assembly can remain chief minister for maximum six months from the date of appointment.
Handing over the resignation to Speaker CP Singh, Soy said he was resigning on his own to pave way for chief minister to contest the election. "I have resigned on my own without any pressure or coercion," said Soy while handing over the one liner resignation letter to the Speaker in presence of state BJP president Dineshanand Goswami and other senior leaders.
"Before me the seat was represented for three consecutive terms by Mundaji. "I am happy to resign in his favour," said Soy.
Welcoming the stand of party MLA, Goswami said every one is appreciating the stand taken by Soy. "The party will formally announce the name of Munda as official candidate for the Kharsawan seat," said Goswami.
However, Goswami evaded the question on whether the party will give its candidate for the Jamshedpur Lok Sabha seat after Munda resigns or it will go to its ally Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).
"At present we are more concerned about Kharsawan assembly seat. The decision on Jamshedpur Lok Sabha will be taken when time comes, said Goswami.
On the other hand former deputy chief minister and JMM vice president Sudhir Mahato created controversy by announcing his intention to contest Jamshedpur Lok Sabha seat after Munda resigns. I will be contesting the Lok Sabha election on JMM ticket," said Mahato in Jamshedpur.
Reacting on the political development, leader of the opposition Rajendra Prasad Singh said the party will field its candidate from Kharsawan. "We are going to give a strong candidate," said Singh.
"On whether the candidate will be from Congress or its ally Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P)," Singh said the decision will be taken by the party high command.
