NEW DELHI, 6 September 2006 — The Arjun Munda-led National Democratic Alliance government in the eastern state of Jharkhand was yesterday reduced to a minority after four ministers resigned.
While Kamlesh Singh, irrigation minister, announced his resignation yesterday morning because of alleged ill treatment by the state police, three disgruntled independent ministers joined him soon.
Madhu Koda, Harinarayan Rai and Enos Ekka faxed their resignation to Gov. Syed Sibtey Razi. The rebel trio reached Ranchi from Gurgaon yesterday evening and met the governor.
“We have resigned from the Cabinet and withdrawn support to the government,’ Koda told reporters after the meeting. Asked if he would be the next chief minister, Koda said: “UPA leaders will decide about it.”
However, Chief Minister Munda yesterday said he was ready to prove his majority in the state assembly. He told reporters, “I am ready to prove my majority on the floor of the house.” But the fact is that with four ministers deciding to quit, the ruling NDA’s strength in the 82-member assembly is reduced to 39.
Former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi yesterday demanded dismissal of the state government and imposition of president’s rule in Jharkhand.
“This government should not be allowed to continue for even one day. The only way out is to dismiss the government and impose president’s rule immediately,” he told reporters.
Kamlesh Singh, who belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was detained by police midnight Monday as he was on his way to Calcutta, apparently to join the three other rebel state ministers who were camping in Gurgaon, Haryana.
He was detained after reports that he could be switching loyalties to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Protesting the police behavior, Singh said: “The treatment meted out to me on the directive of the chief minister itself tells the story of the plight of the state.
“We supported the NDA government for the development of the state. But we are humiliated by the chief minister.”
“When the chief minister has no faith in us then why should we remain minister. We now find it difficult to work under the leadership of Munda.” Asked whether he would join the UPA he said: “All option are open. We can support any government that will ensure development.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which spearheads the NDA government in Jharkhand, swung into action by engaging Human Resource Development Minister Pradeep Yadav to pacify Singh.
When the news came in that the minister was going to join the rebel ministers, the state police swung into action and Singh was caught near Chandil at Jamshedpur. He was stopped and taken to a guesthouse located in the same district.
