Forward Bloc urges Governor for separate seat in Assembly

Ranchi, Mar 1 (UNI) The Forward Bloc, which withdrew support from the Madhu Koda-led UPA government today urged Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibtey Razi to allot separate seat for them in the Assembly.

A party delegation called on Mr Razi at the Raj Bhavan here and handed over a memorandum in this regard.

After hearing them patiently, the Governor told the delegation that they should put their demand before Speaker Alamgir Alam.

According to procedure, the allotment of seats in the House was done by the Speaker, Mr Razi told them.

The induction of Mr Bhanu Pratap Shahi as the health minister last month forced the Forward Bloc to withdraw support from the government.

The party said Mr Shahi was suspended only and hence he was bound by the party whip adding the party extended only outside support to the government.

In the wake of the controversy, Speaker Alamgir Alam was now busy consulting legal experts on the issue.

The Forward Bloc immediately withdrew support from the UPA government after Mr Shahi was sweared in as the health minister, leaving the Koda government with wafer thin majority in the 82-member House.

UNI