M A I N   N E W S

Marandi quits, Munda new leader

Chief Minister of Jharkhand Babulal Marnadi after submitting his resignation to the Governor at Rajbhavan in Ranchi on Monday. — PTI photo

Ranchi, March 17
Mr Arjun Munda was chosen as the new leader of the NDA Legislature Party in Jharkhand at a meeting of coalition partners here this evening. He replaces Mr Babulal Marandi who stepped down this morning.

The name of Mr Munda, Welfare Minister, was proposed by Mr Marandi, caretaker Chief Minister, party sources said.

Mr Marandi resigned today ahead of the trial of strength in the state Assembly following his inability to muster numbers in his favour.

The resignation came hardly an hour before the Assembly was to meet for a session convened by rebel Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari, who himself is the Opposition candidate for the next Chief Minister.

Mr Marandi drove to Raj Bhavan this morning where he handed over his resignation to Governor M. Rama Jois.

Jharkhand was plunged into a serious political crisis on March 13 after the resignation of seven ministers and the Speaker’s announcement of the defeat of the BJP-led government in voting on a cut motion on a money Bill.

The Assembly, with an effective strength of 79, was later adjourned sine die by the Speaker.

Mr Marandi contested the claim of Mr Namdhari that the government had lost on the opposition cut motion saying that there had been no vote in the House. Mr Namdhari sought Mr Marandi’s resignation. 

Fortytwo legislators later met the Governor and staked claim to form a new dispensation. PTI