Cong threatens to pull plug in Jharkhand

"If both parties do not decide, the Congress will on its own decide the fate of the government," said Ajay Maken.

The Congress has again threatened to withdraw support from Madhu Koda government in Jharkhand.

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"We are persuading our alliance partners like the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to collectively decide the fate of Koda government," said union Minister Ajay Maken, who is also in charge of the Congress party affairs in Jharkhand, at a two-day workshop of party workers in Ranchi, began on Saturday.

"If both parties do not decide, the Congress will on its own decide the fate of the government," said Ajay Maken.

The Congress workers expressed their anger at the party continuing support to the Koda government.

In November, the Congress served a 60-day notice to the Koda government to improve functioning or quit.

In January, Maken announced the party would soon take a decision on the government's fate. But Maken was put on the back-foot by Railway Minister Lalu Yadav, who held his Rashtriya Janata Dal rally in Ranchi in February and said that the Koda government would complete it's term.

The fresh Congress threat has irked Jharkhand ministers.

"If the Congress wants to withdraw support, it should act at the earliest. There are many ministers who are ready to face election. The Congress statements are giving support to opposition parties in the state," said state Human Resource Development Minister Bandhu Tirkey.

In the 82-member house, the Koda government enjoys support of 43 legislators. The Congress, which is supporting the government, has nine legislators in the assembly. If Congress withdraws support, the Koda government will be reduced to a minority.