Four ministers sworn in in Jharkhand

Ranchi, Sep 24: The strength of week-old Madhu Koda-led UPA government in Jharkhand rose to eight after four more ministers, including a woman, were administered oath of office and secrecy at the Raj Bhavan here today.

After the swearing-in ceremony, the Chief Minister said the next expansion of his cabinet with four new Ministers would soon take place adding Mr Bhanu Pratap Shahi (unattached member and was expelled from the Forward Bloc) could not take oath today due to some technical problems.

Those, who were administered oath by Governor Syed Sibtey Razi, were Sudhir Mahto, Nalin Soren (both from Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), Joba Majhi and Bandhu Tirkey (both from UGDP).

To a specific question on Independent Legislator Stephen Marandi's reported ommission from the list of ministers to be administered oath today, Mr Koda said efforts were on convince the former Deputy Chief Minister to join the government.

He, however, made it clear that today's list did not include Mr Marandi.

The Chief Minister hoped that Mr Marandi would reconsider his decision on the matter.

According to informed sources, Mr Marandi was keen on becoming the Speaker, a post the Congress did not want to part with.

As per the norms, the Koda cabinet could accommodate 12 ministers leaving scope for further expansion.

Mr Koda and three others were administered oath on September 18 and the 42-member ministry won the floor test on September 20.

However, in the new dispensation, the Congress with 9 MLAs and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal, comprising 7 legislators, and Forward Bloc have decided to extend outside support only.

CPI(ML) with lone member, Vinod Kumar Singh, in the house voted against the UPA on the floor test.

The Koda government was installed after 18-month-old Arjun Munda lost power, following withdrawal of support by four of his ministers on September 5, reducing the NDA government to a minority.

UNI