Tirkey's dharna continues demanding Ekka's removal

Ranchi, Jun 15 (UNI) Continuing his dharna on third day, Congress MLA and party's Chief Whip Niel Tirkey today reiterated his protest would end when Jharkahdn rural development minister Anosh Ekka was removed from the Madhu Koda-led UPA government.

Sitting on dharna along with 82 supporters, Mr Tirkey told UNI that he would not end his agitation till Ekka was removed from the Koda cabinet.

Extending his support to Mr Tirkey party MP Chandrashekhar Dubey said they would not compromise on the issue that Independent MLA Anosh, a minister in the nine-month-old Congress-backed government, could dare insult the national party and harass party workers.

Mr Dubey said that Ekka should be removed at any cost.

Mr Tirkey said if required, he would continue his dharna till the arrival of Rajya Sabha MP and in-charge of Jharkhand Noor Bano, who would arrive here on Jun 22.

Mr Tirkey even sought to resign from the Assembly demanding Ekka's removal, but state Congress president Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu and Ms Bano persuaded him not to act in haste.

The rivalry between the duo might cause another problem to the Koda government, specially at a time when the chief minister was out of the state on a private tour.

UNI