BJP, Samata deadlocked

Announcing the ministers8217; resignations, Samata state president and excise minister RS Munda, however, stated that the party would continue to back the Marandi government. Stating that the ball was now in the court of the central leadership of both parties, he added that he and the other Samata ministers 8212; R Kesri, Bachcha Singh, Madhu Singh and Jaleshwar Mahato 8212; had resigned following instructions from the high command.

As of now, a contest between the two allies seems inevitable. Samata spokesman Shambhu Sharan Srivastav insisted here today that the BJP should withdraw its nominee to bring back 8216;8216;the coalition from the brink8217;8217;. The Samata Party will hold a meeting in Ranchi tomorrow to decide whether to remain in the coalition in Jharkhand.