Madhu Koda resigns

Ranchi, Aug 23 (UNI) Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda today submitted his resignation to Governor Syed Sibtey Razi, seven days after his government was reduced to a minority following the JMM's withdrawal of support.

Mr Koda, on his return from New Delhi this afternoon, held a meeting with Independent MLAs before proceeding to the Raj Bhavan to put in his papers.

He was accompanied by the Independents -- Mr Stephen Marandi, Ms Joba Majhi, Mr Vhandra Prakash Chaudhuri, Mr Bhanu Pratap Shahi and Mr Harinarayan Rai (all ministers).

Significantly, Mr Koda, whose UPA government was reduced to a minority after the JMM, with a strength of 17 MLAs, withdrew support on August 17, was supposed to go for a trial of strength on August 25 in a special session of the Assembly.

JMM president Shibu Soren waged a war against the Koda-led UPA government and has now staked a claim to the chief ministerial post, claiming to have the support of the Congress and the RJD.

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