Soren's trust motion: House adjorned for 15 minutes

Ranchi, Aug 29: The special session of the Jharkhand Assembly on Friday, Aug 29 took up the Confidece Motion of the three-day-old Shibu Soren-led UPA government, but had to be adjourned for 15 minutes following uproar by Opposition NDA, demanding the Speaker to take action against the MLAs accused of anti-defection.

Deputy Chief Minister and in-charge of Parliamentary Affairs Stephen Marandi moved the Motion but as soon as the House began its business at 1100 hours, the Opposition members, led by Srayu Rai (BJP), walked into the well and sat on the floor, asking for action against the MLAs in question.

Speaker Alamgir Alam said as the matter was the issue of the House, it could be solved outside through discussion. However, the Speaker's statement failed to pacify the NDA members and they started shouting slogans.

The Speaker said the special session had been called to take up the Confidence Motion and hence it should be allowed to pass.

With the din continuing, Mr Alam adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

During his first stint as Chief Minister that lasted only for nine days, Mr Soren had to step down as he failed to obtain majority on March 11, 2005. Now, Mr Soren claimed to have the support of 42 Legislators, a comfortable majority in the effecive 81-member House. One seat fell vacant following assassination of Ramesh Singh Munda (JD-U) by Maoist ultras last month.

Mr Soren was administered oath of office on August 27, which ended days of political drama that began with the withdrawal of support by the JMM to the Madhu Koda government on August 17 and finally forced the Chief Minister to resign on August 23.

On August 25, Mr Soren staked claim to form the government and submitted a list of 42 MLAs to the Governor, after luring all the Independent MLAs who had earlier been standing united with Mr Koda.

UNI