PTI

RANCHI, Aug 23: Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda resigned on Saturday after the top UPA leadership advised him to step down, paving the way for JMM supremo Shibu Soren to take over the reins of the state.

Koda met Governor Syed Sibte Razi here on Saturday evening after a meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi earlier on the day and handed over his resignation.

Koda, who was accompanied by five independent MLAs to the Raj Bhawan, told reporters later that his government was reduced to a minority.

"After the turn of events in the last ten-twelve days, morally and democratically, I felt I should resign and that is why I handed over my resignation to the Governor", he said.

Koda said that after meeting the UPA leadership in Delhi which had supported him for the last two years, did not back him any more.

"That is why I felt it was right for me to submit the resignation to the Governor", he added.

He said he would not support a new government. Koda met the Governor shortly after returning here from Delhi and meeting independent legislators five of whom are ministers.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Stephen Marandi, Health Minister Bhanupratap Sahi, Welfare Minister Joba Majhi, Science Technology Minister Chandraprakash Choudhury and Urban Development Minister Harinarain Rai.

The JMM withdrew support to Koda government on August 17.