NCP criticises speaker on notice issue

Ranchi, Sep 8 (UNI) The Nationalist Congress Party(NCP) today criticised Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari for serving show cause notices to three MLAs, who joined hands with the UPA to form an alternative government in Jharkhand, under the anti-defection law.

State NCP president Nesar Alam Khan flayed Mr Namdhari for serving the notices to Kamlesh Singh, Anos Ekka and Stephen Marandi.

Mr Khan alleged that Mr Namdhari himself wanted to be the chief minister and had earlier tried to topple the Babulal Marandi government.

He said even people in Namdhari's constituency were not satisfied with his performance as their representative.

Protests against the speaker's action yesterday picked up with activists of the opposition UPA taking to the streets and burning his effigy. They said the decision was 'not apt' before a trial of strength.

Mr Kamlesh Singh, an NCP legislator and Anos Ekka were ministers in the Arjun Munda cabinet. They resigned on September 5 reducing the BJP-led NDA government to a minority. Mr Stephen Marandi, former deputy chief minister, is an Independent candidate from Dumka.

Earlier, president of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Democratic) Babulal Marandi criticised Mr Namdhari for his act.

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