NEW DELHI: The UPA leadership has reportedly persuaded Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda to make way for JMM chief Shibu Soren as next CM of the state. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav played a crucial role to clinch the issue in Soren's favour.

Koda, who flew into the capital on Friday morning, held a series of meetings on the same day with Yadav and Ahmad Patel, political secretary to the Congress president. On Friday evening, he met the UPA chairperson at her residence where she reportedly prevailed upon him to avoid a contest.

Initially, Koda appeared reluctant to resign and maintained that he enjoyed the support of a majority of the MLAs in the state assembly. However, he also made it clear that he would step aside if Sonia Gandhi would ask him to do so.

"I have come here to meet Gandhi and Lalu Prasad Yadav. Any decision on the issue would be taken only after my meeting with the senior UPA leaders," he said.

Although Koda, after arriving in the capital, said that he found it strange on being challenged mid-way in his term, he also asserted he would abide by the advice of the central leaders.

"The date for the floor test has already been fixed. However, we have come here to resolve the issue through talks," Koda said.

Asked if he was offered a cabinet berth at the Centre if he resigned as CM, Koda said, "no such information has reached me so far."

Source : MMD English