Click to play videoNew Delhi: Ranchi/New Delhi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda probably won’t get good sleep on Tuesday night. His BJP-led NDA government may soon fall after four ministers resigned and withdrew support to the coalition.
The UPA, the government’s main rival, was till late night busy putting together an alternative government. Independent MLA Madhu Koda, who is Munda’s Parliamentary Affairs minister, is the favourite to head the new government.
Three other ministers, Enos Ekka, Harinarayan Rai (both Independents) and Kamlesh Singh (NCP) met Governor Syed Sibtey Razi in Ranchi on Tuesday evening and gave their resignation letters. They told him that they are withdrawing support to the NDA government.
Razi said he would take a decision "at an appropriate time" considering all constiututional regulations and conventions".
The Munda government had a wafer-thin majority of one in the 82-member state assembly. The NDA claims the support of 42 MLAs (including a nominated legislator) and the UPA of 39 legislators. But with the resignation of the four ministers, the government finds itself reduced to a minority.
Sources in the UPA the JMM and RJD are ready to support Koda for heading an alternative government. The UPA claims the support of 43 MLAs, including the four ministers who have resigned.
"UPA partners are in touch with each other in the wake of revolt in the NDA and parties are united to form a secular government in Jharkhand," said RJD chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad.
Consensus "is emerging in favour of Koda," he said.
"My government is not in minority," Munda told reporters in Delhi shortly after reports trickled in that the four ministers had sent their resignations to the governor.
The BJP leader insisted that his opponents were trying to create 'confusion by spreading rumours' regarding his government. "Definitely, I will," he said when asked whether he would be able to prove his majority in the House.
Party-wise break-up in the 82-member house (including nominated member) |
BJP - 30 (NDA) |
| JDU - 6 (NDA) |
| NCP - 1 (NDA) |
| JMM - 17 (UPA) |
| Cong - 9(UPA) |
| RJD - 7 (UPA) |
| UGDP - 2 (UPA) |
| FB - 2 (UPA) |
| CPI-ML-Liberation - 1 (UPA) |
| Nominated member - 1 (Joseph P Galstone) |
| Independents - 6 (Madhu Koda, Harinarain Rai, Enos Ekka (rebel in the NDA), Sudesh Mahto, Chandra Prakash Choudhury (NDA) Stephen Marandi (UPA) |
"Whenever... I am ready to prove it. Everything will come up on the floor of the House," Munda said.
In Jamshedpur, a fourth minister -- Irrigation Minister Kamlesh Singh -- announced his resignation from the Munda ministry. He told reporters that since Munda had lost faith in him, there was no point in continuing in the Cabinet any more. Singh said he would send his resignation letter to Governor Syed Sybte Razi shortly.
"Even a sub-inspector creates hurdle in the way of a minister and maligns the prestige of a minister," he said. He was referring to his experience in Jamshedpur on Monday night when was allegedly prevented from going to Delhi via Kolkata.
Meanwhile, hectic parleys are on in the Opposition camp to form an alternative government in the event of the fall of Arjun Munda Government. Agency reports said independent MLA Madhu Koda, who first raised the banner of revolt against the BJP-led coalition in the state, is emerging as the choice for the next chief minister.
JMM leader Shibu Soren said the UPA will decide the new chief minister of Jharkhand. He did not rule out the possibility of his candidature for the CM's post.
Former chief minister and rebel leader Babulal Marandi has, however, demanded imposition of President's rule in the state.
"This government should not be allowed to continue for even one more day... The only way out is to dismiss the government and imposition of President's rule immediately," he said.
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