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Man in a hurry

Not many can boast a CV that reads `Chief Minister at age 35.' Yet that is not all there is to Madhu Koda, the newest head of government in Jharkhand and among a handful of independents to reach the high office in any State. A man in a hurry, Mr. Koda took all of 18 months to travel the distance from rebel Bharatiya Janata Party MLA to Minister in the National Democratic Alliance Government to leader of the rival United Progressive Alliance. If that is impressive footwork, consider how much Mr. Koda achieved in the past fortnight. He brought down a government of which he was a part; switched sides; bargained for the highest elected office; took oath as Chief Minister; and proved his majority five days ahead of the deadline set by Governor Syed Sibtey Razi. These acrobatics do not augur well for the future of Jharkhand. Set to turn six on November 15, 2006, the tiny State has seen a procession of Chief Ministers. Each has promised the moon but, thanks to a vicious cycle of intrigue and manipulation, none has completed a full term. Much like his predecessors, Jharkhand's fourth Chief Minister in six years has unveiled an ambitious agenda for the State. Yet Mr. Koda could be walking on egg shells. In a House of 82, the new Chief Minister won the trial of strength with only 41 votes in his favour. What of the rest? The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation)'s lone legislator, Vinod Kumar Singh, elected to sit in the opposition, citing his inability to accept a government of defectors. The NDA bloc boycotted the voting, holding unconstitutional the appointment of Congress MLA Pradeep Balmuchu as the officiating Speaker.

Defections, vitiated trials of strength, mutual mud-slinging — it's a drill familiar to Jharkhand-watchers. Just a week ago, when the NDA was in office, UPA ranks erupted in protest against Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari, who was accused of using his office to try and manipulate a majority for Chief Minister Arjun Munda. The spectacle ended with the BJP headquarters mercifully not allowing the minority Munda Government to prolong its stay. For Mr. Koda and the UPA, the victory could be illusory. Jharkhand's troubled legislative history is proof that the numbers game can tilt either way. The Chief Minister is yet to finalise his Cabinet, indicating hectic jockeying for power among prospective nominees. Shibu Soren gave up his claim to the top post; and Lalu Prasad threw his weight behind Mr. Koda. Each is bound to demand his pound of flesh soon enough. Mr. Koda will also need to keep a sharp eye on the three independent Ministers who took the oath of office with him. Each of these colourful characters is as ambitious as the Chief Minister. Will the BJP have the last laugh in this egregious round?

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