Tuesday, September 5 2006 12:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: The opposition UPA in Jharkhand yesterday (Sept 4, 2006)night claimed that the three dissident ministers of the Arjun Munda Government camping in New Delhi exploring possibilities of forming an alternative government were in touch with them.

"Parliamentary Affairs minister Madhu Koda, Rural Development minister Enos Ekka and Forest minister Harinarayan Rai are now in New Delhi, and we are in touch with them. Most of the UPA MLAs have also reached New Delhi," JMM General Secretary, Prasant Mandal, said.

The three ministers, who left yesterday, have remained incommunicado for the last two days.

Speaking to reporters, JDU MLA Radha Krishna Kishore admitted that there was a 'problem' in the NDA following the developments.

Meanwhile, the United Goan Democratic Party MLA, Bandhu Tirkey, who was member in the erstwhile Shibu Soren UPA government in 2005, said a meeting was held in Delhi yesterday night.

Tirkey replied in the negative when asked if he was in touch with the three ministers.

Sources in the UPA said Tirkey was one of the 'key' figures in the developments.