J'khand spl session on Aug 25;5-day monsoon session cancelled

Ranchi, Aug 21 (UNI) The stage was set for Madhu Koda-led UPA government to show its strength in the House as Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibtey Razi today gave his consent to hold a special session of the Assembly on August 25.

The Governor also ordered cancellation of earlier notification of five-day monsoon session beginning September 19.

The 23-month-old Koda government having the strength of 43 was reduced to minority in the 82-member House after major ally Jharkhand Mukti Morcha comprising 17 Legislators parted with him on August 17.

JMM president Shibu Soren, now the Chief Ministerial aspirant, said they were compelled to withdraw support as Mr Koda almost became a ''burden''.

The JMM urged the Governor to explore means for formation of an alternative government.

On the hand, Mr Koda, also an Independent, expressed his desire to go for floor test on August 25.

Meanwhile, Mr Soren left for Delhi yesterday to seek a consensus among the UPA's central leadership on the prevalent political situation and the JMM's claim to the Chief Minister's post.

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