3 more Ministers inducted into Koda Cabinet

Ranchi, Oct 8 (UNI) Three more Ministers were tonight inducted into the three-week old UPA-backed Madhu Koda government taking the Cabinet's strength to 11, with one more slot still remaining vacant to meet the stipulated 12 ministers in Jharkhand.

Independent MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister Stephen Marandi, former Land and Revenue Minister in the erstwhile Arjun Munda government Chandra Prakash Choudhuri (AJSU) and JMM legislator Dulal Bhuian were administered oath of office and secrecy by Governor Syed Sibtey Razi at the Raj Bhavan here.

Mr Choudhuri is one of two AJSU MLAs, who was with the NDA till the government bowed out of power on September 14. With his joining the UPA, its strength rose 43 in the 82-member House.

Under scathing Opposition NDA criticism over the delay in second expansion and the UPA's ''inability'' to present the full-fledged Council of Ministers even after three weeks, the Chief Minister two days ago had said it would be done before October ten, which would see expelled forward Bloc MLA Bhanu Pratap Shahi as one of four ministers to be inducted.

However, Mr Shahi, who was facing three warrants, could not make entry into the Cabinet even on second expansion despite the Chief Minister's claim to make him a Minister in a press conference on October six.

Mr Marandi also said all the warrants against Mr Shahi had been withdrawn and law could not come in his (Bhanu's) way of getting the ministerial berth. Although about 14 cases were registered against the former FB legislator, warrant was issued regading three cases.

However, the High Court taking exception to the matter (withdrawal of warrant) has sought records from the District and Session Court in Garhwa in this connection.

Mr Marandi, who took oath today, had been saying that he would not accept anything except the Speaker's post.

Mr Koda along with three other Ministers were sworn-in on September 18 and on September 20 the government won the floor test.

On September 24, Mr Koda inducted four more Ministers.

On September 14, the Arjun Munda-led NDA government bowed out of power without facing floor test after four Ministers withdrew support form his government paving way for Mr Koda, an Independent MLA, to hold the reign.

At today's oath-taking, the Chief Minister and his ministerial colleagues including Coal Minister Sibu Soren and Officiating speaker Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu were present.

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