Monday, September 4 2006 17:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: The opposition United Progressive Alliance (UPA) has stepped up its effort to dislodge the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government in Jharkhand.

UPA leaders of the state are camping in New Delhi and trying to cash in on the three disgruntled independent ministers - Madhu Koda, Harinarayan Rai and Enos Ekka.

Koda, Rai and Ekka are also camping in New Delhi.

"We are trying for an alternative government in the state. The three independent ministers are in touch with us. We are keeping close watch on the development of the state," said Mabel Rebelo, Congress Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand.

She was here for two days and parlayed with the leaders of the party as well as of other political parties on the issue.

According to reports, Railway Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad has been assigned the job of exploring the possibilities of an alternative government.

Lalu Prasad held meetings with his Jharkhand legislators Saturday in New Delhi. He is also said to be in touch with Coal Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren.

The RJD chief is trying to pacify Soren to allow others to become chief minister instead of him.

Sources said the central leaders of Congress have taken upon them the job of dislodging the Arjun Munda government. The Congress party is alluring the rebel ministers, with an offer of chief ministership to Koda.

The BJP leaders are trying to avert the crisis by deploying its leaders to appease the independent trio. The rebels are unhappy with the chief minister over various issues.

Chief Minister Munda Sunday spoke to party president Rajnath Singh and informed him about the Congress game plan and the grievances of the rebel trio.

Munda, however, said: "Efforts are on to dislodge my government for the past few months. My government is safe and we are enjoying a majority."

"We are dedicated to the development of the state," he said.

The threat could be assessed from the fact that Munda Sunday cancelled all his programmes and huddled with party leaders and ally partners to avert the crisis.

Jharkhand Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari is returning to the state after cutting his foreign visit midway. Even Governor Syed Sibte Razi, who was in New Delhi, returned to Ranchi yesterday (Sept 3, 2006).