Koda's choice of minister questioned

Within days of becoming chief minister, Madhu Koda has realised the perils of government formation in Jharkhand. Governor Syed Sibte Razi has asked him to reconsider nominating Bhanu Pratap Shahi to a ministerial post as three arrest warrants are pending against him.

Koda's list of ministers, which he handed over to the governor yesterday, has six names, including Stephen Marandi and Shahi, both Independents.

After the governor objected, Koda withdrew Shahi, who has been telling friends that he needs to be accommodated somewhere.

"There is no problem in becoming a minister. Koda is our high command," Shahi said.

Shahi said he was "solidly" behind the UPA government. "My support is solidly behind the new government, and I will take up whatever responsibility comes my way," Shahi said.

He admitted he had an arrest warrant against his name. "I am in touch with legal experts. Moreover, when the cases are under investigation, I don't think the warrant has any relevance now," he said.

Shahi was recently expelled from the Forward Bloc for anti-party activities.

One arrest warrant against Shahi has been issued by a court and two by the Garwah district police. However, the warrant by the Garwah police was stayed and Superintendent of Police Deepak Verma transferred soon after the Koda government took charge. Transferring Verma was one of the first executive decisions of the new government.

Koda took oath along with three ministers on September 18 and proved majority on September 20. He approached Congress President Sonia Gandhi and RJD chief Lalu Yadav to request their parties' participation in the government. However, they merely assured him outside support.

Meanwhile, the governor has asked Koda to induct four more people into the ministry to complete the quorum of 12.

Sources said the next round if wrangling would centre around the post of Speaker. Koda has promised the post to the Congress but Independent Stephen Marandi has also staked his claim.