The chief minister of Jharkhand Shibu Soren suffered a major set back when he lost a crucial assembly by-election to Jharkhand Party candidate Gopal Krishna Patar by 9,000 votes. Gopal Krishna is a member of the ruling alliance led by the JMM. The winning of Tamar assembly seat was important for Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren as it would have kept his post of chief minister safe. After the loss, the chief minister may have to resign from the post.

 

The Tamar constituency fell vacant after JD(U) legislature party leader Ramesh Singh Munda was killed on July 9 last year by Maoists.  The bypoll was held on January 3 and the counting was taken up today. Soren became chief minister in August last year and needed to be elected to the state assembly within a six month period that ends Feb 27.

 

Gopal Krishna who secured 34,186 votes said that the people of Tamar have made the right choice as he had working here for the last ten years. Meanwhile, the BJP demanded the resignation of Shibu Soren and wants President's rule to be imposed in the state of Jharkhand. BJP national spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that Soren's defeat is equivalent to that of Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal's defeat in the state.

 

The BJP demanded fresh elections in Jharkhand. Reports say that the UPA have asked Shibu Soren and former chief minister Madhu Koda to visit New Delhi to discuss the political scenario. It is very likely that Soren will be asked to step down and ensure formation of a new UPA government in the state