Ranchi: The Babulal Marandi-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government in Jharkhand was on March 13 reduced to a minority with seven ministers belonging to BJP's (Bharatiya Janata Party) allies quitting and pulling out of the coalition.

The seven ministers, two of JD-U (Janata Dal-United), three of the Samata, one of AJSU-UGDP and one of Jharkhand Vanachal Congress, asked Assembly Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari to make seating arrangements for them in the Opposition benches.

The dramatic resignation, which brings down the strength of the ruling coalition to 35 in a House with effective strength of 79, came on the floor of the state Assembly when a cut motion was being discussed.

The development comes after weeks of a campaign by five ministers belonging to JD(U) and Samata Party for the removal of Chief Minister Marandi. Four of the five put in their papers today while one broke the rebels' rank a few days ago.

PTI