Why BJP gave up on Jharkhand?

New Delhi: With defeat staring in his face, beleaguered Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda was directed by the BJP leadership on Thursday to step down ahead of the floor test in order to save the party from embarrassment.

"The party leadership was of the opinion that there was no point in facing the floor test when there is no majority. Both Venkaiah Naidu and Sumitra Mahajan have been in regular contact with the party president and were given the necessary instruction," a party source said.

Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu and the party's in-charge of Jharkhand affairs, Sumitra Mahajan, were camping in the state and were in regular touch with party chief Rajnath Singh in New Delhi, the sources said.

The BJP president was himself a key player in the formation of the party's government in Jharkhand 18 months ago.

Last week, he deputed Naidu as a troubleshooter for Jharkhand as the BJP government plunged into a minority after four of its ministers pulled out on September 5.

After the withdrawal of support by the four ministers, the NDA was left with 39 members in the House with a total strength of 82, including the Speaker.

While BJP had 30 members, JDU had 6, AJSU-two and one nominated MLA. UPA is banking on the support of JMM-17, Congress-9 and RJD-7.

But it also needs the support of two UGDP MLAs, Joba Manjhi and Bandhu Tirkey, Forward Bloc MLA Aparna Sen, CPI-ML (Liberation) MLA Vinod Kumar Singh and Independent Stephen Marandi.

It has also claimed the support of expelled Forward Bloc MLA Bhanu Pratap Sahi, whom the Speaker has declared as an unattached member, who is free to vote on any side.

Efforts to form an alternative government began in right earnest with Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay saying that the UPA would announce its Chief Minister within a day.

Prasad had indicated that Independent MLA Madhu Koda, who led the rebellion, was his choice for Chief Ministership.

"Madhu Koda has my blessings (for the Chief Minister's post)," Prasad said.

However, Soren left the choice of Chief Minister to Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

"Our leader is Sonia Gandhi. Whatever decision she takes, we will accept," said the Union Coal Minister when asked by newsmen if independent MLA Madhu Kora would be his choice for the top post.