Koda might crown tainted MLA's father as minister

After failing to elevate expelled Forward Bloc legislator Bhanu Pratap Shahi, the Koda govt is planning to make his father minister.

In a move that could have far-reaching implications for Jharkhand's United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Chief Minister Madhu Koda is planning to elevate an expelled legislator's father as minister even though he is neither a MLA nor involved in active politics.

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After failing to elevate expelled Forward Bloc legislator Bhanu Pratap Shahi as minister, the Koda government is planning to make his father Hemendra Pratap minister, said sources in the government.

Koda has expanded his cabinet twice and recommended Bhanu's name as minister. On both occasions, Governor Syed Sibte Razi rejected the name as Bhanu faces 14 criminal cases and arrest warrants in three cases.

"In the Constitution there is provision to elevate any person to the rank of a minister for six months," a top government official said.

"Bhanu will surrender before court and seek bail during this period. After six months, Bhanu will replace his father and become a minister," he said.

The Madhu Koda government enjoys wafer thin majority and support of each legislator is a must to run the government. The new government came to power by ousting the Arjun Munda-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government with the active role of legislators like Bhanu Pratap Shahi.