Koda to be sworn in as fourth Jharkhand CM on Sep 18

Ranchi, Sep 15 (UNI) Setting the ball in motion for the alternative UPA government in Jharkhand, Governor Syed Sibtey Razi today invited Mr Madhu Koda, the third Independent MLA to rise to the post of Chief Minister in the country and take oath on September 18.

He was also asked to prove his majority by September 25.

With this, Mr Koda has become the fourth Chief Minister of the state and the UPA, after waiting for 18 months.

The UPA ruled the state for ten days under the leadership of Mr Sibu Soren (JMM) after the Assembly polls last year, but that was unseated by BJP-led NDA, headed by Mr Arjun Munda.

The 18-month-old BJP-led NDA government bowed out of power yesterday, after Mr Munda resigned without facing the floor test that paved the way for Mr Koda to form the alternative government.

Mr Koda will take oath at Morhabadi ground here at 1500 hrs.

The UPA leaders handed over a list of 41 Legislators to the Governor and staked claim to form the alternative government, after Mr Koda was selected as the CM candidate.

Talking to reporters after getting the invitation to take oath, Mr Koda said he wanted to take oath at Birsa Chowk but the request was not obliged on security ground.

Asked about the Cabinet expansion, he only said all these would be decided at the UPA meeting.

Mr Koda was accompanied by state Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu, Congress MLA Manoj Yadav, RJD legislature wing leader Annapurna Devi, RJD Legislators--Girinath Singh and Uday Sankar Singh, JMM legislature wing leader Sudhi Mahto, NCP MLA Kamlesh Singh and Jharkhand Party MLA Anos Ekka besides others.

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