Chief Minister Babulal Marandi got into a fresh battle with rebel Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari today with his Cabinet deciding to face a trial of strength in the Assembly on March 27, ignoring the Speaker summoning the House on March 17. Hours after the Speaker issued a communique calling for a meeting of the Assembly on Monday for the BJP-led government to prove its majority, Marandi met Governor M. Rama Jois and later convened a Cabinet meeting in which it was decided that a two-day session will be convened from March 27. The vote of confidence and the budget will be passed at the session as per the directions of the Governor, Cabinet Secretary Aditya Swaroop told reporters this evening. The conflict over dates apparently has its roots in the ongoing power struggle. Marandi has the backing from 37 MLAs (BJP—32, Samata—2, UGDP—1, Independent — 1 and nominated — 1), while Namdhari has the support of 42 MLAs (JMM—12, Congress—11, RJD—9, CPI—2, MCC—1) and seven ministers. Both factions have their daggers drawn. The subject of their latest dispute centres around the Governor’s communique, asking the Assembly to ascertain whether Marandi enjoyed confidence and ensure that the budget is passed before March 31. Earlier during the day, Namdhari held a press conference at his official residence. Brushing aside questions whether he was competent to convene the House, he told reporters: ‘‘I got a communique from the Governor last night asking me to see that the budget is passed by March 31. So, I have decided to reconvene the Assembly on March 17. My decision will be intimated to all legislators.’’ As per the schedule notified by Assembly Secretary Amarnath Jha, the House was not to have any sitting between March 14 and March 20 due to Holi. But soon after his office received Jois’ message last night, Namdhari swung into action. While forwarding Jois’ message to Namdhari, Jha had noted that the session which was declared adjourned sine die by Presiding Officer Lok Nath Mahato may be convened in consultation with the leader of the house. But Namdhari chose to ignore his advice and passed the order for convening the session two days before Holi. ‘‘Namdhariji has done the right thing by calling the session on Monday. It is in consonance with the letter and spirit of the Governor’s message which calls upon the Speaker to resolve the crisis as soon as possible,’’ said leader of Opposition Stephen Marandi.
