Koda stakes claim as Munda resigns, Speaker Namdhari calls it a day

Ranchi, Sep 14 (UNI) In a day full of political developments in Jharkhand, Mr Madhu Koda, an Independent MLA propped by UPA, today staked claim to form the new government six hours after Chief Minister Arjun Munda resigned without facing a trial of strength in the state Assembly.

Munda's government was reduced to a minority following the withdrawal of support by four of his Ministers on September five.

Mr Koda after handing over a list of 41 MLAs to governor Syed Sibtey Razi told reporters that he had requested Mr Razi to hold the oath taking ceremony on September 17.

He said the name of two more MLAs would be sent to the Raj Bhavan soon.

Reacting to the development, the outgoing Chief Minister lashed out at the UPA for projecting an Independent as the Chief Ministerial candidate. He said the UPA bereft of leaders would now be led by an Independent MLA.

Meanwhile, giving a new twist to the political drama, Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari also resigned this evening saying he would not be able to take any decision under pressure from new UPA government regarding the fate of three legislators who were served defection notices by him.

Mr Namdhari sent his resignation letter to the Governor.

A report from New Delhi said, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of the petition of the three MLAs challenging their disqualification proceedings initiated by Mr Namdhari.

Earlier in the morning, the Speaker allowed the three legislators --Anos Ekka, Kamlesh Singh and Stephen Marandi--to vote in Chief Minister Arjun Munda's trial of strength.

As the event kept unfolding, the Opposition UPA immediately swung into action authorising Congress President Sonia Gandhi to decide on the Chief Ministerial candidate for an alternative government but the UPA chairperson referred the matter back to the state leaders to elect the Chief Ministerial candidate.

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