Thursday, March 3 2005 21:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Beleaguered Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibtey Razi, under fire for installing the Shibu Soren Government, is likely to be asked to direct the Chief Minister to prove his majority on the floor of the State Assembly at an early date.

An indication to this effect was available as Razi flew in New Delhi on summons from President A P J Abdul Kalam for consultations over his decision.

Razi, whose decision to swear in a Soren-led UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government drew a storm of protests from BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance), had given Soren time till March 21 to seek a trust vote.

A high-level meeting of Congress leaders party President Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and several senior Central Ministers and senior party leaders today took stock of the political situation in the wake of developments in Jharkhand.

Congress, which has come under attack on the issue, sought to distance itself and its top leader from the Jharkhand Governor's action.

"Congressmen and women, sometimes in their enthusiasm, may do their extra bit but the direction from the party leadership is always clear that they should abide by the Constitution", party general secretary Ambika Soni told reporters when asked to comment on reports that Gandhi was upset over Jharkhand issue.

Soni assailed BJP President L K Advani for terming Razi as "contract killer" saying that one could express his feelings even in parliamentary language.