Jharkhand MLAs leave Kerala ahead of crucial confidence vote

Kochi, Sep 12 (UNI) A group of Jharkhand MLAs including Chief Ministerial aspirant Madhu Koda, who were put up in a backwaters resort in Alappuzha for the past few days, left Kerala this afternoon ahead of a crucial vote of confidence in the Assembly this week.

The dozen-odd MLAs left from the Nedumbaserry Airport near here by a Kingfisher flight IT 309 to Delhi via Mumbai this afternoon.

The embattled NDA government, led by Arjun Munda, would face a test of strength on the floor of the Assembly on September 14. The fragile 18-month-old government was reduced to a minority following the resignation of four ministers Madhu Koda, Hari Narain Rai, Kamlesh Singh and Anos Ekka on September five.

The MLAs, who were at the Punnamada backwaters resort in Alappuzha for the past few days, declared that Mr Munda would be defeated on the floor of the House and a new UPA-backed government, led by independent MLA and former minister Madhu Koda, would take over.

Rashtriya Janata Dal MLA Uday Shankar claimed that Mr Koda had the support of nearly 43 members in the 82-member Assembly. All political decisions concerning the new government would be collectively taken by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, RJD chief Lalu Prasad and leaders of the Left parties, he added.

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