By IANS
Ranchi : The acquittal of former union minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren in a murder case has given rise to speculation that he may replace Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda.
Just after the Delhi High Court acquitted Soren on Wednesday, Koda said: “If the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) leaders want, I will offer the post of chief minister to Soren.”
Koda’s statement has stirred state politics.
Even the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) feels there could be a change in leadership in the state.
“The JMM leader’s acquittal in the Shashinath Jha murder case is likely to signal the end of Koda, who could be replaced by Soren,” said P.N. Singh, state BJP president.
Most leaders of the state’s ruling UPA have welcomed the court judgement. Some coalition partners are reportedly unhappy with Koda and want him replaced.
Soren is likely to be released from prison Friday.
The JMM chief was brought to Jharkhand to face trial in the Chirudih mob massacre in which 11 people were killed in 1975.
The opposition to Koda has been building up within the UPA alliance. Even independent ministers like Bandhu Tirkey, Bhanu Pratap Shahi and Enos Ekka are said to be unhappy with the chief minister and want him replaced.
Political experts feel Soren could emerge as a consensus candidate among the UPA partners.
Koda is in the eye of a storm over his links with trader Vinod Sinha. The opposition claims Sinha has amassed property worth Rs.2 billion by influencing the state government’s decision on mining leases.
Sinha, who was a petty trader in Chaibasa till Koda became first a minister and then the chief minister, now reportedly owns several industries and is believed to have invested in industry and business abroad.
If the numbers in the assembly are taken into consideration, the opposition National Democratic Alliance’s strength has depleted in recent times. The alliance received a blow when a sitting BJP legislator died and five were suspended for anti-party activities.
The All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), which has two legislators, has kept its options open. An AJSU legislator is already a minister in the Koda cabinet. The BJP and Janata Dal-United have only 29 legislators in the 81-member house while the UPA enjoys the support of 44 legislators.
The JMM, Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal of the ruling coalition have preferred not to comment on the issue, but have not ruled out the possibility of a change of guard in the state.