Koda denies any scuffle with Ekka in a Kerala hotel

Ranchi, Sep 9 (UNI) Mr Madhu Koda, a strong contender for the Chief Minister's post in the alternative 'new' government in Jharkhand, today reacted strongly to reports about his scuffle with another rebel minister, enos ekka from the NDA government.

''It was the BJP's design to spread rumours,'' Mr Koda said.

Mr Koda, who is now touring Andhra Pradesh, told UNI over phone that nothing happened between him and Mr Ekka.

Mr Ekka, Mr Harinarayan Rai and Mr Kamlesh Singh were three ministers who resigned from the Munda cabinet making the BJP-led NDA government a minority.

Mr Koda said the BJP and the RSS were trying to spread rumours about the scuffle adding it was aimed to mislead people.

''We are united and the UPA is all set to topple the Munda government on the floor test on September 14,'' he said.

With the NDA losing majority, Mr Munda should resign on moral grounds, he said, adding the present government should not take any policy decision especially in financial matters.

He said the UPA has called off its proposed Jharkhand bandh on September 11. Instead, they would gherao the Assembly on that day to protest the Speaker's issuance of defection notice to three Legislators.

Media reports said here there was scuffle between Mr Koda and Mr Ekka at a hotel in Kerala last night.

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