Jharkhand Chief Minister resigned ahead of the trust vote in the Assembly because the Bharatiya Janata Party's leadership wanted to spare itself an 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 instructions," 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, 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 after four of its ministers pulled out on September 5.

Meanwhile, in the Congress camp, 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.

"Madhu Koda has my blessings," Prasad said.

However, Shibhu Soren left the choice to Congress president Sonia Gandhi [Images].

"Our leader is Sonia Gandhi. Whatever decision she takes, we will accept," said the Union Coal Minister.