Ranchi, July 13 (IANS) Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren was sworn in as Jharkhand's ninth chief minister Saturday.

Hemant Soren Tuesday staked claim to form the government, handing over to Governor Syed Ahmad letters of support of 43 legislators in the 82-member house.

President's rule was imposed in the state Jan 18 following the fall of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Arjun Munda government after the JMM withdrew from the ruling coalition Jan 8.

The six-month period of president's rule is to end July 18.

The present assembly's tenure ends in December 2014. This will be the third government in the current assembly's tenure.