KODbreaks silence on corruption adding fire to Opposition ire

Ranchi, Aug 21 (UNI) In the wake of NDA-led Opposition's vehement protests against the corruption issue involving Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, the latter today said the Opposition was wasting precious time by discussing such petty issues.

In the recent past, the Opposition's continuous protests had resulted in repeated adjournment of the House.

Miffed at the Chief Minister's reply, the House, which could not transact much business yesterday except the introducion of the first supplementary budget, today turned uproarious as the Opposition stepped up attack demanding a CBI probe into the matter.

Since yesterday, the Opposition pressed hard for a reply from Mr Koda regarding a news item published in local Hindi daily. The daily said a Binod Sinha had collected more than Rs 200 crore from the market in the name of the Chief Minister during the past few months.

No sooner had Speaker Alamgir Alam announced the beginning of the question hour session this morning than the Opposition picked up from where they had left yesterday. The Speaker then told them that the Chief Minister would reply as he was not present at the House at that moment.

Mr Alam urged the members to allow the question hour till the chief minister's arrival. When he arrived ten minutes later, the Opposition pressed hard for a reply.

Mr Koda said he knew Mr Sinha as he belonged to his home district West Singbhum.

''As a politician fully committed to public life, I might have come across several people,'' he said adding that he should not be dragged into a controversy if someone was found committing a crime.

''I am not involved in this matter,'' Mr Koda said adding the Opposition, since yesterday, was wasting precious time of the House only.

The reply added fuel to the Opposition's ire, who continued with their protests, going to the well of the House and finally squatting on the floor, demanding a CBI probe.

In between the Speaker adjourned the House twice.

However, during the zero-hour, marked by attacks and counter-attacks from both sides, various local demands were placed.

Deputy Chief Minister, also in-charge of Parliamentary Affairs Stephen Marandi placed the annual report of Damodar Valley Corporation, 2005-2006, and Deputy Chief Minister Sudhir Mahto, in-charge of Industry placed annual report of Bokaro Industrial Area Development Authority and Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authority, 2005-2006.

The House was later adjourned till the recess with a debate to be taken up on the supplementary budget.

UNI