Munda govt headed for trouble

There is trouble brewing for the Arjun Munda-led NDA government in Jharkhand with three ministers camping in Delhi and in touch with the UPA. The chief minister, however, said there was no crisis.

The ministers, Madhu Koda, Enos Ekka and Harinarain, have switched off their mobile phones.

The 18-month old NDA government in Jharkhand has a wafer-thin majority and will face a crisis in the event of the three ministers, all Independents, taking any extreme step.

The three ministers have been complaining of being ignored for some time.

Shortly after Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari, who was on his way to Nigeria for a meeting of parliamentarians, returned, the chief minister went to his residence. The two were closeted for over 30 minutes.

Later, Munda told newsmen that there was no crisis. "There is no crisis. There is no issue that cannot be solved."

Asked if he was in touch with the three ministers, he replied, "I know where they are, you need not worry."

To a question, he said there was no possibility of the formation of an alternative government.

On the government's strength in the Assembly, he said, "I will speak about it only in the House."

Asked why did he return abruptly, Namdhari said, "I returned as I am indisposed."

Earlier at the airport, when his attention was drawn to the three ministers camping in New Delhi, he said, "I have just arrived. I will have to look into the matter."

According to sources, Finance minister Raghuvar Das has left for New Delhi to meet the BJP leadership.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madhu Koda, Forest Minister Harinarayan Rai and Rural Development Minister Enos Ekka are reportedly in touch with top UPA leaders in New Delhi, apparently in search of an "alternative formula."

Koda is said to be unhappy over alleged non-clearance of files relating to his department.