Governor sets timeline for Koda: Aug 25

A day after 17 Jharkhand Mukti Morcha legislators withdrew support from the state government, Governor Syed Sibte Razi asked Chief Minister Madhu Koda on Monday to prove majority in the House by August 25.

Koda expressed his confidence to pass the floor test as his government is still enjoying majority. “We have sufficient numbers.

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So there is no question of quitting. Moreover our government came into existence after the UPA back up and we have not received any direction from them regarding pulling support, so why should I resign,” asked the Jharkhand Chief Minister.

The monsoon session of the State Assembly has convened on August 19 and will last on August 25, the final day for Koda to prove his majority.

The adamant approach of both Koda and Soren, as some says, has cleared the way to impose President's Rule in the state.

On Sunday evening, a letter of withdrawal of support signed by 25-member delegation led by Soren was handed over to Governor Syed Sibtey Razi urging him to explore the possibility of forming an alternative form of government.

At present, JMM has the support of just 33 MLAs. Despite standing away from the magical number of 42 in the House of 82, Soren expressed confidence that he will muster the required numbers if his turn comes. Shibu Soren, who was in office for just nine days after the 2005 assembly elections, said that his party was also in constant touch with UPA central leaders so as to stake claims to form alternative government.

The party leaders, sources said, are also hoping to obtain support of some Independents, who have rallied behind Koda, along with two suspended BJP legislators. On August 12, Soren staked claims to form his government but Koda denied to quit. Koda once said to step down on July 22 when the UPA faced trust vote in Parliament. About his U-turn Koda said, “I am still ready to quit but only for the sake of UPA and not for any other individual.”

The Congress party spokesperson Manish Tiwari in New Delhi on Sunday said that the party would render its support to Soren, if he manages himself the required numbers.

The JMM gave its support to the Koda government in 2006 after four Independent legislators who were also ministers pulled out their support to the NDA government headed by BJP’s Arjun Munda.

In the meantime, the NDA also met with Governor Rizvi and demanded dismissal of Koda’s government soon after JMM’s pulling out that has reduced to minority. The opposition party also asked for fresh elections in the state. The party also objected to Munda’s heading cabinet meeting throughout the day. After reducing to minority no government has right to call for such a meeting, the NDA said.

Responding to NDA objection, Koda said: “Who says government is in minority? We are in majority and will prove on the floor of the House.”

Madhu Koda-an Independent legislator- took the opportunity in 2006 after Munda’s government reduced to minority and formed the government on September 18 with the support of eight Independents, smaller parties and the outside support of the UPA (Congress- 9 MLAs and RJD- 7MLAs).

With the support of just 42 MLAs he was successfully running the government. But, the 23-month-old Koda government reduced to minority on Sunday after 17-member JMM pulled out its support. In the 82-member house, Koda now enjoys the support of mere 25 legislators.