Munda confident of proving majority

Ranchi, Sep 6 (UNI) Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda today expressed confidence that he would be able to prove his majority within the stipulated time granted by Governor Syed Sibtey Razi.

Earlier in the day, the Governor asked Mr Munda to prove his majority in the Assembly by September 14 after the fragile 18-month-old BJP-led NDA government was reduced to a minority following the resignation of four Ministers.

The Raj Bhavan spokesperson tonight said Mr Razi has asked Mr Munda to prove his majority on or before September 15, while Mr Munda told a press conference that he would wriggle out of the crisis by September 14.

Addressing a crowded press conference at his official residence, Mr Munda, while asserting that majority of ministers were still on his side, accused the Congress of trying to halt developmental programmes initiated by him by trying to create unrest in the governance.

However, later talking to UNI Mr Munda said if he could not muster support by that time, he was ready to sit in the Opposition.

''Even I am ready for a mid-term poll,'' he said.

The 18-month-old BJP-led NDA government was reduced to minority yesterday following ministers and party MLAs, called on Mr Razi at the Raj Bhavan this noon and sought time from him citing similar kind of situations faced by the previous governments in the state.

Yesterday, four ministers-- Madhu Koda, Hari Narain Rai, Kamlesh Singh and Anos Ekka -- tendered their letters of withdrawal of support and resignation from the BJP-led NDA government.

After the resignation, the Munda government was reduced to 39 in the 82-member House. One nominated member is also with the ruling but now minority government.

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

This evening, Mr Munda made no bones about ngly criticised the four dissident ministers, saying they did not have any agenda to work for the people but nurtured the sole desire to remain in power by hook or by crook.

He said the present unwanted political scenario, a handiwork of the Congress-led UPA, was not at all conducive for peace and developmental work in Jharkhand.

Last evening, immediately after putting in their papers, they demanded that the Munda government be dismissed as it did not enjoy majority any more.

At the press conference, Mr Munda today said he did not see original copies of the resignation letters of the ministers, adding that the NDA did not believe in horse-trading to remain in power.

He asserted that he would prove majority on the floor of the house.

''They faxed the resignations to me,'' he said adding the ministers could have come personally.

''I will let people know what forces were working behind the scene,'' he said.

Mr Munda said he had faced such situations earlier too which were tackled by him aptly.

UNI AM-PRS BA HS KP2221