World | India
Jharkhand leader refuses to step down
Notwithstanding Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) supremo Shibu Soren's claim that he was poised to take over the reins in Jharkhand "any time", incumbent Chief Minister Madhu Koda has refused to step down to make way for Soren to take over.
- IANS
- Published: 23:59 August 12, 2008
Ranchi/New Delhi: Notwithstanding Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) supremo Shibu Soren's claim that he was poised to take over the reins in Jharkhand "any time", incumbent Chief Minister Madhu Koda has refused to step down to make way for Soren to take over.
"I have not received any direction from the central United Progressive Alliance leaders to resign. There is no question of my resigning. My government is safe," Koda, an independent legislator, told reporters at the airport here yesterday on his arrival from New Delhi.
In the morning, Soren told reporters that he had got the support of the Congress leadership and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to become chief minister.
There was speculation that Koda would tender his resignation. Koda, who on Monday evening made clear his unwillingness to step down, yesterday stated that his government was safe.
In New Delhi, Congress MPs Furkan Ansari and Subodh Kant Sahay were present at a meeting in Soren's house to discuss the Jharkhand issue.
Emerging from the meeting, Soren told reporters: "The UPA high command is of the opinion that support to the Koda government should be withdrawn if he fails to resign. The Congress has also asked him to resign."
Key party calls meeting
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha had served a 48-hour ultimatum to the United Progressive Alliance leaders to give JMM chief the post of Jharkhand chief minister.
The party has called a meeting on August 17 to decide the future course of action. The JMM had made it clear that it would take drastic steps if Soren was not made chief minister. In the 82-member state assembly, the UPA has the support of 43 legislators.
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