Arjun Munda bows out, Madhu Koda stakes claim in J'khand

Ranchi, Sep 14 (UNI) In a day of swift developments Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda resigned without facing a trust vote while the opposition UPA staked claim to form the government projecting Independent MLA Madhu Koda as its chief ministerial candidate.

Mr Amit Khare, Principal Secretary to Governor Syed Sibtey Razi, told UNI here that Mr Koda handed over a letter stating the support of 41 MLAs to Mr Razi and claimed the support of two more MLAs. The letter of these two would be despatched soon to the Raj Bhavan.

Earlier, Mr Arjun Munda announced his resignation in the extended monsoon session of the Assembly. The session had been convened to enable him seek confidence of the House. This ended the nine-day political drama triggered by the resignation of four ministers from BJP-led NDA government on September 5 which had reduced the 18-month-old government to minority.

Soon after resigning, Mr Munda rushed to Raj Bhawan and put in his paper to the governor.

The rebel Ministers--Mr Kamlesh Singh(NCP), Mr Harinarain Rai, Mr Madhu Koda and Mr Anos Ekka (All Independents)--joined the Opposition UPA taking its tally to 43 in the 82-member House.

After Mr Munda resigned, the UPA, led by Mr Madhu Koda staked claim before the governor to form the new government.

Mr Razi, while accepting the letter, said he would scrutinise it and act according to the Constitution.

The UPA delegation also comprised JMM president Sibu Soren, RJD president Lalu Prasad, Central minister Prem Gupta, Congress MP Furkan Ansari and several other senior leaders.

Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari announced in a press conference that he had sent his resignation to the governor.

In a letter to Mr Razi, the Speaker, who had reserved his ruling on disqualification of three legislators, said if the new cabinet wanted to summon the session, the governor could appoint a pro-tem speaker.

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