BJP MLAs to resign from Jharkhand assembly

All the 21 BJP MLAs will submit their resignation to the Speaker on Wednesday to press for early assembly elections in Jharkhand, now under President's rule.

The BJP MLAs and a nominated legislator will meet the Governor before submitting letters of resignation to the Assembly speaker, state party chief and MLA Raghuvar Das said here.

The strength of BJP, which had won 30 seats in the 2005, has been reduced to 21 following resignations, disqualifications and a defeat in assembly by-poll. The MLA from the Anglo-Indian community was nominated by the then ruling BJP-led NDA alliance.

President's rule was imposed in Jharkhand on January 19 after JMM president Shibu Soren quit from the chief minister's post following his defeat in the Tamar assembly by-poll.

The BJP wants early polls after dissolving the 82-member House, now under suspended animation. The term of the assembly expires in March next year.