Cong contemplates withdrawal of support but not before Jan 15

Ranchi, Jan 9 (UNI) With rumours spreading that the Congress, a key constituent of UPA-backed Madhu Koda government in Jharkhand, is contemplating to pull out of the ruling coalition, the party tonight clarified that no such thing would happen before January 15.

The Congress has reportedly ''made up its mind'' to withdraw support after CWC member and incharge of Jharkhand Ajai Maken called on party President Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi and expressed the party state unit's majority wish for such a development.

The Congress would hold a rally in Dhanbad on January 11, which was expected to be graced by Mr Maken where he would be officially handing over the report asessing the present state goverment's performance gathered from nook and cranny of Jharkhand in the past two months.

The Congress threat to Mr Koda of ''either to perform or perish'' would expire on January 15.

''Why should this government continued,'' asked party state chief spokesperson Pradep Tulsyan.

Talking to UNI over the phone here, Mr Tulsyan said the Koda government had failed on all fronts and despite the two-month deadline, the government was yet to come up with a common minimum programme, which had to be formed since more than 14 months when it came to power in the state.

Besides, the much-hyped resettlement and rehabilitation policy, mining policy were still to see the light, he said, adding that the power scenario and roads were still a matter of concern in the state.

However, the party would not take any drastic decision before the deadline was over, he asserted.

Meanwhile, in Jamshedpur party's state vice president Gopal Sahu said they might give a thought to withdraw support to the Koda government if it failed to accelerate the pace of work for the development.

Mr Sahu went there leading a six-member state-level Congress team from the capital to take part in a demonstration of the East Singhbhum district committee of the party before the Deputy Commissioner's office.

The Congress and the RJD are providing outside support to the UPA government in the state.

UNI TEAM PRS-AM LL RL ND2040