Jharkhand Chief Minister Koda resigns

Ranchi, August 23 : Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda has resigned in the wake of withdrawal of support by Shibu Soren-led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).

He handed over his resignation to Governor Syed Sibte Razi in the evening after a meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi earlier today.

Koda was accompanied by five independent MLAs to the Raj Bhawan, he told reporters after submitting his resignation that his government was reduced to a minority.

"After the turn of events in the last ten-twelve days, morally and democratically, I felt I should resign and that is why I handed over my resignation to the Governor," he said.

Koda further added that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) had supported him for the last two years but it did not back him any more.

"That is why I felt it was right for me to submit the resignation to the Governor," he added.

Koda said he would not support the new government.

The Governor had asked him to continue till an alternative arrangement is made.

The JMM withdrew support to Koda government on August 17.

ANI