The five rebel NDA ministers in Jharkhand have set a 24-hour deadline for the acceptance of their demand to oust Chief Minister Babulal Marandi. Samata Legislature Party leader and rebel Land Reforms Minister Madhu Singh said that they would not budge from their stand for a change in leadership of the NDA government in Jharkhand.‘‘We have apprised our senior leaders of the decision and are waiting their reply till midnight,’’ Singh said, adding that ‘‘from tomorrow we will be free to go ahead with our plans to oust Marandi.’’The rebel ministers have held a series of meetings with Samata Party senior leader and Railway Minister Nitish Kumar, Janata Dal (U) president and Civil Supplies Minister Sharad Yadav and NDA convenor George Fernandes in the past three days. Today again they met the trio for a final decision on the matter and are believed to have expressed themselves in favour of continuation of the Marandi leadership at least for the time being. Sources said the leadership did not favour any change at this stage. ‘‘We are convinced about the genuineness of the grievances of our ministers, but change is not an answer. The leaders are working for some kind of mechanism for a smooth running of the coalition,’’ they added. However, they conceded that the leadership was having problems in convincing the rebels.
