Governor asks Munda to prove majority in a week

RANCHI: With odds heavily stacked against him, Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda was on Wednesday asked to prove his majority in the assembly in a week's time after he demanded that he be given an opportunity for a floor test.

Governor Syed Sibtey Razi, whom the beleaguered Chief Ministet met this morning, conveyed to Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari that Munda has to take confidence vote before September 14.

The Governor's decision follows yesterday's resignation of four ministers Enos Ekka, Harinarayan Rai and Madhu Koda (all independents) and Kamlesh Singh (NCP) and their withdrawal of support to the BJP-JD (U) coalition after which it has been reduced to a minority.

Munda, who sought the meeting with the Governor, expressed confidence that he would be able to prove his majority.

"My government is in the majority, and I am confident of proving my strength. I expect the House to be convened to give me a chance honouring the democratic system," the Chief Minister told newspersons after meeting the Governor in Ranchi.

"I reminded the Governor about how the Supreme Court, in the S R Bommai case, held that the floor was the perfect place to prove majority."

The NDA coalition had the support of 42 MLAs in the 82-member assembly. But with the resignation of the four ministers, it has been reduced to a minority.

The Chief Minister said he had also reminded the Governor of the events after the Assembly elections in 2005 when he had given time to opposing groups to prove majority in the Assembly.

Munda had received a week's time after the short-lived Shibu Soren-led UPA failed to prove its majority on March 11 last year.

The BJP-led NDA government returned to power and Munda was sworn-in on March 13 last year and two days later he proved his majority.

Meanwhile, the opposition parties stepped up their demand for dismissal of the Munda government.

The Left parties, meeting in Delhi, said the NDA government in Jharkhand should go as it has lost majority. Forward Bloc, which has one MLA, promised outside support to a new anti-NDA coalition even though the party it expelled its legislator accusing him of hobnobbing with the dissidents to pull down Munda government.

"We feel that fresh elections are the only way out to provide stability in Jharkhand", the Left leaders said.

Chief Minister of a shortlived government and Union Minister Shibu Soren ridiculed Munda's demand for an opportunity to prove his strength.

He said Munda should resign immediately to escape the ignominy of defeat on the floor of the House.

Expressing similar view, RJD supremo and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad told reporters that the days of Arjun Munda Government were numbered and "it (his departure) is just a formality".

Describing the crisis in the Munda government as "self destruction", he said the equation was in favour of UPA.

"Since Jharkhand cannot be pushed towards President's Rule, it is the duty of secular forces to step in for formation of an alternative government," he said.

Prasad demanded resignation of Munda because his government has been "badly reduced to minority" and it would be proved during the floor test in the House.

On whether Madhu Kora was emerging as the consensus candidate for the chief minister's post, he parried a direct reply saying "Can't deny. May be"

When probed further whether Kora enjoyed his blessings, Prasas in his typical style replied "Madhu is Madhu (honey is honey)".