From correspondents in Jharkhand, India, 07:32 PM IST

The opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Jharkhand Monday protested against the Madhu Koda government holding cabinet meetings and clearing files relating to many projects despite being reduced to a minority in the state legislature.

The cabinet meeting started at 1 p.m. Monday and lasted for more than three hours.

The departmental secretaries were summoned for the cabinet meeting and files were cleared, said sources.

Though Governor Syed Sibte summoned Koda at 3 p.m., the chief minister requested that the time be fixed for 4 p.m. due to the cabinet meeting. All the Independent ministers were present at the cabinet meeting. According to sources, many projects relating to the assembly constituencies of Independent legislators-cum ministers were cleared at the meeting.

Terming the meeting illegal and a violation of the constitution, the BJP said: 'How can a minority government hold cabinet meetings and clear important files? We demand that the governor stop Koda from doing this.'

Reacting to the allegation, a minister in the Koda government told IANS: 'Who says our government is in the minority? Majority is decided on the floor of the house.'

The JMM withdrew support to the 23-month-old Koda government Sunday evening, reducing it to a minority. In the 82-member house, Koda now enjoys the support of only 25 legislators.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)