Munda government to seek vote-of-confidence on Sep 14

Ranchi, Sep 7 (UNI) The crisis-ridden BJP-led NDA government in Jharkhand, which was reduced to a minority after the resignation of four ministers on Tuesday, will seek a vote-of-confidence on or before September 14.

A Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Arjun Munda this evening, took the decision after Governor Syed Sibtey Razi had asked Mr Munda to go for the floor test by Septmber 15.

Cabinet Secretary Aditya Swarup said since the monsoon session of the Assembly was adjourned sine die on August 25, it would be extended till September 15.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the NDA fired its first salvo prompting Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari to issue a show-cause notice to two of the four dissident ministers and an Independent MLA, now on the side of the Opposition UPA in Jharkhand, under Anti-Defection law.

Mr Namdhari said dissident ministers Kamlesh Singh and Stephen Marandi were asked to reply by September 11, whereas in the case of Anos Ekka, the third hearing was scheduled for the same day after which he would give his decision.

Talking to UNI, the Speaker said he would take a decision on the matter before the trial of strength takes place.

The Governor asked Mr Munda to prove majority in the House after his 18-month-old fragile government was reduced to a minority following resignations of four ministers on September five.

The Speaker said BJP legislators from the ruling side--Saryu Rai, Dinesh Sarangi, Chandresh Oraon, Putkar Hembrom and Sameer Oraon--had filed three separate petitions demanding disqualification of two dissident ministers, including Kamlesh Singh and Anos Ekka-- and former deputy chief minister Stephen Marandi (IND), from the membership of the Jharkhand Assembly.

Mr Singh and Mr Ekka were with the BJP-led NDA government who tendered resignation from the Cabinet to join the UPA fold, presently a strong contender tipped to stake claim to form an alternative government in the state.

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