I will not resign: Madhu Koda

Ranchi, Aug 12: As Shibu Soren throws a threatning 48 hours ultimatum at UPA govt demanding Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda's resignation, the CM has reacted sharply to the news.

Throwing everyone into tumult, Koda backtracked on his words telling "I will not resign," on his return from New Delhi. Koda till recently kept saying he would step down if the situation so demanded. But Koda's assertion was significant as senior Congress leader and Union Minister of the state for food processing Subodh Kant Sahai said the party 'endorsed' Soren's claim.

The Chief Minister on the other hand reiterated at the Birsa Munda Airport this afternoon that he would not resign as he had not been asked by the Congress High Command to pave way for Mr Soren.

He termed as 'figment of imagination' the JMM president's claim in New Delhi earlier today in which the former coal minister told reporters that the UPA High Command had already directed Koda to resign.

In New Delhi, Soren said, ''I will take over as soon as he (Koda) resigns.'' In his reaction, Koda said, ''that is his dream...I've nothing to say...but I have not received any instruction so far''.

Both Congress and RJD though said they had no objection to Mr Soren's becoming chief minister, however, made it clear that the JMM must muster support to prove majority in the 82-member house.

Koda at present has 43 MLAs including - JMM (17), Cong (7), RJD (9), UGDP (2), NCP (1) and some Independents.

Meanwhile, many ministers in the state government were still reluctant to see change of leadership so soon.

Many of them talking to sources did not mince words to convey that while present Chief Minister Madhu Koda was 'fairly' trying to deliver the goods, he should not be distubed.

Deputy chief minister Stephen Marandi (Independent) said he would oppose any move to topple Koda.

On the other hand the JMM said the party would sit on August 17 to chalk out party's next move.

UNI