RJD not to join Koda govt in J'khand: Lalu

Ranchi, Sep 23: Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal today said it will not join the Madhu Koda-led UPA government in Jharkhand but extend outside support only.

The Congress had already taken a similar stand.

This was announced at a press conference by party's state president Gautam Sagar Rana here who said this decision was arrived at after consultation with the RJD president.

Mr Rana said the chief minister had been informed of the decision by the party legislators.

He claimed that the UPA-backed Koda government would complete its tenure.

Mr Rana said the main aim of RJD was to form a secular government and make people free from the BJP-led NDA government in Jharkhand and they had succeded in their mission.

Mr Koda, an independent MLA, was sworn-in as the chief minister along with three other ministers on September 18.

Speculation was rife about the squabble for portfolio among the RJD and JMM legislators.

While the RJD has 7 MLAs, the JMM has 17 legislators among the 42-member ruling coalition.

UNI