Four more ministers sworn-in in Jharkhand

Ranchi, Sept 24: Jharkhand governor Syed Sibtey Razi administered the oath of office and secrecy to four more ministers taking the strength of the Madhu Koda-led UPA government to nine here today.

Those who took oath were Mr Sudhir Mahto, and Mr Nalin Soren (all from Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), Ms Joba Majhi and Mr Bandhu Tirkey (UGDP). Ms Manjhi is the only woman minister in Koda cabinet.

As per 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, have decided to extend outside support only with the Forward Bloc adopting the same stand.

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 bowed out of power following four of his ministers, those who took oath, withdrawing support on September 5 reducing the NDA government to a minority.

UNI