Ranchi: Amidst pandemonium and high political drama, Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari on March 13 announced the defeat of the beleaguered Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government after a crucial vote on a financial business but Chief Minister Babulal Marandi rejected it claiming he still has majority.

As a crisis stalked the government following the sudden resignation of seven ministers belonging to allies on the floor of the House, the Opposition insisted on a vote on a cut motion to the demands for grants, which the Speaker was inclined to concede.

Sensing mischief, the ruling party members trooped to the well of the House and Minister for Geology and Mines Ravindra Rai sought to move a no-confidence motion against him.

The Speaker ignored it and put the cut motion to vote after which he announced that it has been passed by a voice vote.

As Namdhari was escorted out of the House, the ruling party members were seen attempting to hurl chairs at the Opposition benches.

Marandi, the first Chief Minister of the newly formed tribal state two years ago, has been the target of coalition partners who had been demanding his removal, a demand rejected by BJP high command.

PTI