Governor returns from Delhi

Ranchi, Sept 28: Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibtey Razi who had been to New Delhi on September 26 returned here today amidst indications of a second expansion of the Madhu Koda cabinet after the Durga Puja celebrations.

Mr Razi would be leaving for Port Blair to attend the three-day 19th Akhil Bharatiya Rajbhasa Sammelan on October 2.

Official sources said Mr Razi's tour of Port Blair has been confirmed but the date of departure has not been decided.

However, Mr Razi had to reschedule his programme following mounting criticisms by the opposition political parties on the Koda government for its inability to present a full-fledged 12-member cabinet so far.

Speculations were rife here that Mr Koda might go for a second expansion by including four more ministers to meet the constitutional provision of total 12 ministers.

Yesterday, Coal Minister Sibu Soren ruled out any hiccups in the Koda government adding all matters including the expansion would be sorted out after the Dusshera.

After Mr Razi had left on ten-day tour amid political uncertainties which had surprised many political observers, who analysed it as a 'tactics' to allow some more time to the UPA leaders to sort out their problems.

The Government, which proved majority on September 20, was sworn-in on September 18 with only four ministers.

The Cabinet's first expansion was done on September 24 in which four more ministers were inducted leaving another four slots to be filled up.

Mr Koda has been under pressure from the oppostion NDA, that was urging the Governor to ensure the induction of all 12 ministers at one go.

The BJP had also reminded the Governor's letter to the then Chief Minister Arjun Munda regarding the constitutional provision of 12 ministers in the NDA government last year after which immediately the 11-member Munda Cabinet had included one more following the gubernatorial instruction.

With the present UPA dispensation under fire from critics for delaying expansion and distribution of portfolios, the Governor's role had assumed much importance, the observers said.

UNI