Thursday, September 14 2006 13:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda announced his resignation in the assembly Thursday just before the trust vote could take place, signalling curtains for the 18-month National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the state.

Amid indications that the numbers were stacked against Munda, the house met at 11 a.m. soon after Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari said at a press conference that he was reserving judgment on the disqualification petition against three legislators, who would therefore have voting rights.

All the legislators of the NDA and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) were in place when Munda began speaking in Hindi. The lines were clearly divided between 43 MLAs of the UPA and 38 of the NDA (excluding the speaker).

Munda stood up and enumerated the achievements of his government, saying that development had taken place in the state and his rule had achieved many milestones in education, health and other sectors.

He then candidly admitted, "It is true we don't have the numbers to continue in government. I am going to resign after meeting Governor Syed Sibte Razi."

The announcement led to jubilation in the opposition UPA benches with members standing up and showing the victory signs, while despondency was evident in the NDA as its legislators watched on silently.

The UPA will now spend the next 24 hours in deciding its course of action and choosing a new leader.

Union Food Processing Minister and MP from Ranchi Subodh Kant Sahay told reporters, "The UPA will meet and decide the future course of action. We will choose the leadership and then go to the governor's house."

The buzz is that former minister Madhu Koda is tipped to be chief minister.

The scales tipped against the Government on Sep 5 when Koda and three other independents - ministers Kamlesh Singh, Enos Ekka and Harinarayan Rai - withdrew support, reducing Munda to a minority in the 82-member house.

And the speaker's decision Thursday morning that he was reserving judgment on the disqualification petition against Stephen Marandi, Enos Ekka and Kamlesh Singh was the final straw.

Unless they are disqualified, they are legislators and have a right to vote, he said, adding that judgment would be pending till the next order.

The NDA had come to power in March last year with the support of the independent legislators when Shibu Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha could not prove his majority on the floor of the house.