The Hindu : Front Page : Koda quits; not to support new Govt.

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Koda quits; not to support new Govt.

PHOTO: PTI

RESIGNS: Madhu Koda who resigned as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand interacts with the media at Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi on Saturday.

Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda resigned on Saturday, capping a week of political turmoil following the withdrawal of support by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha to his government.

Mr. Koda met Governor Syed Sibte Razi here in the evening and handed over his resignation. Earlier in the day he met Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.

Mr. Koda, who was accompanied by five independent MLAs to the Raj Bhavan, told journalists that his government was reduced to a minority.

“After the turn of events in the last 10-12 days, morally and democratically I felt I should resign and that is why I handed over my resignation.”

Mr. Koda said the UPA leadership, which had supported him for the last two years, did not want to back him any more. He said he would not support a new government.

Earlier, Mr. Koda held a meeting with independent MLAs of whom five are Ministers.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Stephen Marandi, Health Minister Bhanupratap Sahi, Welfare Minister Joba Majhi, Science and Technology Minister Chandraprakash Choudhury and Urban Development Minister Harinarain Rai.

The JMM led by Shibu Soren withdrew its support to the Koda government on August 17.

Mr. Koda ruled out support to his successor.

“I am not going to join any government. No I will not...,” Mr. Koda said when asked whether he would consider joining as a Minister in any government or support Mr. Soren. — PTI

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