Political honeymoon of Hani Koda

UPA seeks another spell of honeymoon with Madhu Koda

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Saturday, December 20, 2008

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) may be patting its back for taking the 'bold decision' which necessitated the exit of two Cabinet Ministers—Ainosh Ekka and Harinarayan Roy—but all eyes are now riveted on Chief Minister Shibu Soren who has to perform the major task of inducting two new faces in the Cabinet.

But, the State Congress is working on two well-calculated strategies, both for long and short terms, one for the possible induction of new faces in the Cabinet, but the other strategy of the Congress might just open up a Pandora's box _ which the party would reveal only if Soren faces rout in Tamar by-election.

Informed sources within the Congress confided that State party president Pradeep Balmuchu was also willing to join the Cabinet provided the Central leadership gives green signal to it. However the official version of the Congress termed the speculation untenable.

The Congress leaders may apparently exude hope for the victory of Soren despite hurdles and determined opposition placed in his way. But nonetheless they are well aware of the ground reality and realpolitik that may not be politically ominous for Shibu.
Party sources did not deny the possibility, that the Congress might stake claim for the post of the State premier if Soren fails to enter the State Assembly from Tamar- asking the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha to extend support,

Meanwhile, the UPA is working on the formula to neutralize the collective political strength of the independent MLAs by making a dent into their fold. Well-placed sources maintained that the names of few more Ministers might appear on the other side of the firing line.
Erstwhile Chief Minister Madhu Koda who was sulking on the political margin after his removal as Chief Minister some three months back is being wooed to join the Cabinet as Rural Development Minister, the informed sources said.

However Koda refused to speak his mind over his proposed induction in the Cabinet on Thursday evening while rubbing his shoulder with other UPA leaders announcing and supporting the decision to remove two of his former Cabinet duumvirs.

It was not a determined Soren who on Thursday spelled his farman to remove Ekka and Roy. It was rather the Balmuchu effect, which forced Soren to fire his Cabinet colleagues after the former threatened 'no more support' to him if he failed to axe Ekka and Roy. The sources said that Soren wanted to defer the decision till the by-election of Tamar, but unfortunately failed to be in the command of the situation.