The Hindu : Front Page : 4 Ministers quit Munda Government

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Wednesday, Sep 06, 2006

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4 Ministers quit Munda Government

Special Correspondent

Arjun Munda

NEW DELHI: The Arjun Munda Government in Jharkhand was reduced to a minority after four Ministers — Madhu Koda, Enos Ekka and Harinarain Rai (all Independents), and Kamlesh Singh (Nationalist Congress Party) — met Governor Syed Sibtey Razi to tell him that they had withdrawn support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government.

Reports from Ranchi indicated that the Governor had received their resignation letters, and said he would take an appropriate decision at the appropriate time.

(A PTI report, quoting UPA sources, said a fifth MLA, Bandhu Tirkey, too was present when the four Ministers called on the Governor.)

The Government enjoyed the support of 43 MLAs in a House of 81. After the withdrawal of support by the four Ministers, it now has the support of 39, including the Speaker.

The crisis deepened on Tuesday morning when Mr. Kamlesh Singh joined the rebels.

Internal problems: UPA

Sources in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) said the crisis was a result of the internal problems of the Munda Government.

The UPA would not take part in bringing the Government down, but could come into the picture as and when it falls.

There were reports that Mr. Koda wanted to lead an alternative government, but UPA sources said "that stage [of an alternative government formation] has not yet come."

The Bharatiya Janata Party's core group met here to discuss the developments. Signals from the party suggested that it was trying to keep its flock and that of the alliance partners intact, but might not be able to save its Government.

However, Mr. Munda, who was here on Tuesday to attend the conclave of Chief Ministers, told reporters that he was confident of proving his majority on the floor of the House.

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