Munda govt faces challange from former BJP leader Marandi

Ranchi, May 25 (UNI) The Arjun Munda government in Jharkhand is facing challange from Mr Babulal Marandi, who took a u-turn and threatened to dislodge the present government if the issues raised by him were not addressed.

Changing the stance maintained till yesterday, Mr Marandi, who resigned from the BJP last week, has given one month's time to Mr Munda to address the issues raised by the former BJP leader over corruption, extremism and lack of development.

Mr Marandi earlier said that he had no agenda to dislodge the NDA government. However, he suddenly gave an ultimatum to the Munda government.

The former BJP leader today said if the situation did not improve within a month, then he would go all out to dislodge the government.

Mr Marandi, while setting the deadline, also expressed hope that Mr Munda would tackle the core issues of the state efficiently.

''Otherwise we will start agitation,'' he said.

Meanwhile, other opposition parties, mainly the Congress, the RJD, the JMM and the Left are closely minitoring the situation but refrained from making any statement.

Mr Munda, however, said there was no threat to his ministry and he was ready to prove his majority.

Informed sources said Mr Marandi could create trouble for Mr Munda as Mr Marandi is supported by few MLAs of the 82-member state assembly. With the support of five independent MLAs, the BJP is running the government with a 'thin' majority.

UNI SCS JYN TJP/SRC1508