New Delhi: The political drama in Jharkhand turned dramatic on Wednesday when RJD supremo Lalu Prasad paraded 37 MLAs and claimed the support of six others to assert that the UPA enjoys a comfortable majority in the 82-member Assembly.
Lalu paraded 37 MLAs at his residence in New Delhi and claimed the support of six others. He said the UPA will provide a stable government in Jharkhand.
The UPA's camp, comprising 43 MLAs so far in a House of 82, is expected to arrive in Ranchi from New Delhi by a chartered plane. They will be escorted by Lalu, besides, Noor Banu, Mebel Rebello and Oscar Fernandes (all Congress).
The state is in the midst of a political crisis after four ministers quit the BJP government led by Arjun Munda on September 4 and withdrew support to it.
Meanwhile, the Assembly Speaker Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari is likely to announce his final decision on the membership of the three MLAs - Enos Ekka, Kamlesh Singh and Stephen Marandi on Wednesday. They are facing disqualification charges.
While Enos Ekka and Kamlesh Singh have been charged with not following party whip, Stephen Marandi has been accused of joining a political party after winning as an independent.
Namdhari says his decision will be in accordance with the Constitution. "Main suninga. Main unke tark sunoonga. Aur afwaayein chahe jo bhi ho, mera faisla Constitution ke prawadhano ke kasauti pe kas diya jaayega (I will listen to their arguments. Whatever the rumours be, my decision will as per the provisions in the Constitution)," Namdhari said on Tuesday.
Namdhari also said that he was free to take a unilateral decision if the responses did not reach him as scheduled.
The Speaker had detailed discussions with a battery of advocates on the ramifications of the intricate issue.
The issue turned more interesting after the Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant an interim stay to the dissident MLAs.
''I have talked to Advocate General Anil Sinha and carefully studied the case,'' he said, adding that specific time had been set for the three MLAs and it was upto them whether they came personally or sent their advocates for the hearing.
On the NDA front, hectic parleys were on at the BJP office and at the Chief Minister's residence till late Tuesday night to draw out strategies for Wednesday's trial of strength.
The BJP-led NDA dispensation, now reduced to a minority following the resignations, stood at 39, including the Speaker.
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