Four Ministers resign, Munda government reduced to minority

Ranchi, Sep 5 (UNI) Dealing a body blow to the 18-month-old BJP-led NDA government in Jharkhand, four Ministers tendered their resignations to Governor Syed Sibtey Razi, reducing Chief Minister Arjun Munda's regime to a minority today.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madhu Koda, Rural Development Minister Anosh Ekka and Forest Minister Harinarayan Rai after returning from New Delhi by a chartered flight this evening rushed to the Raj Bhavan here to personally put in their papers and withdraw support to the government.

The dissident trio was accompanied by Water Resources, Food and Civil Supply Minister Kamlesh Singh, who also tendered resignation to the Governor.

After the resignation, the Munda government was reduced to 38 in the 82-member House.

The NDA now comprises BJP (30), JD-U (6) and Independents (2) while the the Opposition consists of JMM(17), Congress(9), RJD(7), CPI(ML)(1), UGDP(2), Forward Bloc(2) and Independent(1).

If the four join the UPA, it could stake claim to form the next government.

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