Madhu Koda: A `suitable’ CM

By: Arun Chaubey
The interim operation of Jharkhand is over. The final will probably take place next year, when some of the states face assembly polls. The once bitten twice shy UPA did not want to repeat its past folly. This was the reason why perhaps Congress high command gave Union Railway Minister and ace political broker Lalu Yadav a free hand in Jharkhand, a mission he successfully accomplished. Now the question that arises is that how long will Madhu Koda-led alliance government last, three months, six months or more?

The 35-year-old Madu Koda, who is an Independent MLA from Jagannathpur, is the fifth Chief Minister of Jharkhand, besides being the youngest one after Prafulla Kumar Mohanty of Assam. His being an Independent MLA suits the political parties supporting him to head the government, as their respective leaders are concentrating on assembly polls. If we take this aspect into consideration the hazy picture of Jharkhand politics starts to become clear.

When the Arjun Munda-led NDA government realised that it had failed in the numbers game, it made a quiet exit rather than facing a trial of strength on the floor of the house. Arjun Munda’s decision to obey the party diktat may give him a chance of a comeback if the BJP-led alliance returns to power in the next assembly elections.

Besides, the Munda-led NDA government, facing severe criticism of not giving attention common people’s problems and being involved in shady mining deals, had no other option. The resentment within the BJP had become so seething that former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi decided to quit the party and his Lok Sabha seat from Koderma. Another senior party leader and former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha had to write an open letter citing the neglect of his LS constituency (Hazaribagh).

Meanwhile the dejected and disillusioned JMM chief Shibu Soren also buckled under pressure to support Madhu Koda. He was foreseeing an uncertain future after losing his home turf i.e. Sathal Paragana to his trusted loyalist Stephen Marandi, who after deserting JMM won the assembly seat as an Independent.

The reported underhand alliance between Babulal Marandi and Stephen Marandi was emerging as a formidable force, as the former awaited the Koderma by-election. This also gave sleepless nights to Dishom Guru.

The RJD chief with his seven MLAs seems to have persuaded JMM chief Shibu Soren, whose party is the single largest in the state with 17 legislators, to forgive and forget the past to settle scores with common enemy i.e. the BJP.

The Congress Party with nine MLAs, which was in a state of shock after losing the state courtesy two of its senior leaders’ political strategy, assigned Lalu Yadav this time around to use his skills in dealing with Jharkhand affairs. Madhu Koda, who would be the second Independent legislator to assume Chief Minister’s office after S A Khonglam in Meghalaya in 2002, thus emerged a consensus candidate to head an alternative dispensation after holding a banner of revolt.

Of the 81-member assembly (minus one nominated), Koda has submitted a list of 43 MLAs comprising JMM (17), Congress (9), RJD(7), Forward Bloc(2), UGDP(2), NCP(1), CPI-ML(1), Jharkhand Party(1) and Independents(3). He seems to have a comfortable majority for now, but his stint does not look smooth as far as running the government is concerned.

Bound by the Constitution’s 91st Amendment, he has to keep his ministry’s strength to 12, while the list of aspirants is high. He runs the risk of incurring the wrath of those MLAs who may not be accommodated in the cabinet. Besides, he won’t be in a position to overlook the claims of Stephen Marandi, who was Deputy CM in the Shibu cabinet.

In the given situation, the path of Madhu Koda is full of thorns, besides being at the mercy of Lalu Yadav. The RJD chief, who enjoys Sonia Gandhi’s confidence, won’t let him an easy going. Lalu after unseating the NDA government has dealt a blow to the BJP, but he is looking to in the future to turn the tide against his detractors, who had written him off after the Bihar debacle. For the next assembly polls, the UPA partners need to build trust in each other so that they may be able repeat their Lok Sabha elections sweep, when the BJP out of 14 seats could manage to win only from Koderma.

The Koda-led government would continue to get oxygen supply till this arrangement suits the UPA. After that the state would be forced into President’s rule to facilitate a government of Congress and its alliance partners. Maybe as early as next year when some other states go to the polls. The writing is on the wall.