Clearing the mist over which way the party would move, the RJD on Saturday annoucned support to JMM chief Shibu Soren in forming the next government in Jharkhand after the resignation of incumbent Madhu Koda.

Close on the heels of Koda's announcement in Ranchi that he was quitting, RJD chief Lalu Prasad declared his party's "strong support" to Soren.
 
Prasad, who was the mentor of Koda, even assured the JMM chief that he would help in securing the support of independents to ensure smooth sailing for Soren to succeed Koda.

“RJD is fully behind Soren. We are also sending a letter of support carrying signatures of all seven RJD MLAs from Jharkhand to the Governor Syed Sibtey Razi to help formation of the Soren government,” the RJD chief said.

Prasad made the announcement after chairing a meeting of party MLAs from Jharkhand including RJD legislative party leader Annapurna Devi, party state president Gautam Sagar Rana and senior leaders Girinath Singh and Ghuran Ram.

Prasad also dismissed the recent statement of Koda in which he had said he was "not joining any government" and had dubbed the current political situation "ill-timed and unnecessary" as just an outburst.
 
Koda made the statements before reporters in Ranchi after resigning from Chief Ministership.
 
Prasad, however, said he would talk about the matter with Koda and others.

"I will talk to Koda. His statement is just an outburst as he was very much a part and parcel of the decision taken to support Soren's chief ministership bid. He had yesterday agreed to step down," said Prasad.

"This is UPA's decision to avoid President rule in the state. No body wants election in the state. Hence, Soren now has our strong backing after Koda resigned. We are talking to independents as well. RJD strongly supports Soren's attempt to form the new government," Prasad added.

He, however, declined to specify the nature of RJD support to JMM in government formation.