In the aftermath of his defeat in the assembly by-poll, Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren today resigned after presiding over his constituency for a little over four months and projected a JMM MLA as his successor. "Maine apne aatma ki awaz ko suna aur apne pad se istifa de rahaa hoon (I am quitting on the call of my conscience)," he said.

"We have decided Champai Soren as our (chief ministerial) candidate. Yesterday I informed the central UPA leaders... I also called a meeting inviting state UPA allies but none came... The JMM will not change its decision on its candidate," he said.

In an unexpected development, Soren's deputy Stephen Marandi also resigned. "Political developments here during the last few days are against my ethics and the spirit of democracy," Stephen said.

On being asked whether JMM will accept railway minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad's decision on the choice of CM, Soren said, "We will try to resolve the matter here. But if talks fail, we will ask Laluji to find a solution to the crisis."