Jharkhand Vikash Dal demands President's rule

Jamshedpur, Mar 7 (UNI) Jharkhand Vikash Dal (JVD) president Suraj Mandal today demanded immediate imposition of President's rule in the state and said the ''weak'' Madhu Koda-led UPA government has failed on all fronts, including curbing Naxalite menace that cost the life of JMM MP Sunil Mahto.

Talking to media here Mr Mandal said the Centre should increase the number of Assembly seats in the state from 81 to 162 before conducting a fresh poll.

Lambasting the UPA for backing an Independent as Chief Minister, Mr Mandal said, ''No one can depend on an Independent. It's difficult to understand why the UPA is still supporting Chief Minister Madhu Koda, whose track record is equally unimpressive as a Minister during the Arjun Munda government.'' He alleged that Mr Koda was the ''weakest'' Chief Minister ever and had no say in government affairs as he was being remote-controlled by RJD supremo and Railway Minister Laloo Prasad.

He apprehended that the situation would worsen if the Koda government continued.

Mr Mandal, who was the Deputy Chairman of the Jharkhand Area Autonomous Council (JAAC) before the creation of a separate Jharkhand state, said lack of development was the root cause of insurgency and only a stable government could provide all round development.

Terming Mr Mahto's assassination by rebels as unfortunate, Mr Mandal, however, was sceptical about a CBI probe into the murder and alleged that in several other cases the CBI had failed to conduct a proper investigaton.

UNI