Madhu Koda resigns

Vijay Deo Jha/ Rajiv Ranchi August 24, 2008

The Chief Minister Madhu Koda who lost majority after the withdrawal of support by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), on August 17, tendered his resignation to Governor Syed Sibtey Razi, on Saturday.

Koda resigned two days before he was scheduled to prove his majority on the floor of the House on August 25. The Governor asked him to continue till further arrangements. With this the 12-day-long political drama in Jharkhand has ended, but a new one has begun with speculation if Soren will be able to form a new Government since Koda and co. have refused to support him.

Five Ministers of the Koda Government including Deputy Chief Minister Stephen Marandi, Health Minister Bhanu Pratap Shahi, Urban Development Minister Harinarayan Rai, Welfare Minister Joba Manjhi and Drinking Water and Sanitation Minister Chandraprakash Chaudhary also accompanied Koda to the Governor's residence on Saturday evening.Koda said, "I tendered the resignation since I feel that the Government has lost the majority in the House".

While terming the whole affair as 'unfortunate and motivated' he said that for the last 23 months his Government was running successfully with the support of the UPA but unnecessary problems and hurdles in the way of the Government were created which forced him to make an exit.Later, while addressing media persons at the Governor's residence, Koda ruled out the possibility of his support to JMM chief Shibu Soren in his bid to form the Government in the State. On being questioned whether he would like to be chairman of the UPA Steering Committee in Jharkhand or could be inducted in the Government in the capacity of the Deputy Chief Minister, Koda said that he had no intention to be the part of any Government led by Soren.

Koda also ruled out that he would prefer a berth in the Union Cabinet.He said that he along with other independents with him would oppose the installation of a Government led by Soren. "Between the new Government and fresh elections in Jharkhand they would prefer the latter", Koda asserted.

The outgoing Deputy Chief Minister and close aide of Koda, Stephen Marandi, without hiding his distaste for Soren, said that they (the independents) were ready to face any eventuality. "There is no question of any truck or adjustment with the JMM in the next Government.

"We opt for the elections rather than supporting Soren and his party in the formation of the Government", Marandi asserted.Earlier, Koda who returned from New Delhi after consulting top UPA leaders on Saturday, held a close door meeting with five independent MLAs at his residence where the group decided to tender resignation as the Government was reduced to a minority.

Surprisingly, the other two independent MLAs and ministers of the Koda Cabinet- Water Resource Minister Kamlesh Kumar Singh and Rural Development Minster Ainosh Ekka who were equally vocal in their support to Koda were not present at the meeting.

The sources hinted that the duo could be supporting Soren in garnering the majority. Although power corridors were abuzz with the rumor of Koda being instructed by the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to resign? While clarifying it, Nazam Ansari, a close aid of Joba Manjhi said that . Sonia asked them to elect the Chief Minister in the State on the basis of consensus which was in favour of Koda, a fact that Soren and his coterie refused to accept which led to the resignation of Koda.

In the circumstances, JMM chief Shibu Soren would have a great task to form the next Government as it lacks the magic number even though RJD chief Lalu Yadav has also pledged his party's support to Soren. Soren after returning to Ranchi from New Delhi on Saturday swung into action and started charting out political games to prove the magic number in the Assembly.