Mahto rules out Soren's CM prospect;urges reinduction at Centre

Jamshedpur, Aug 24 (UNI) Jharkhand deputy chief minister Sudhir Mahto today ruled out chances of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha supremo Shibu Soren becoming the chief minister replacing Madhu Koda.

Talking to newspersons here Mr Mahto said, ''Since Guruji came out clean with the verdict of Delhi High Court,the JMM will urge UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to reinduct him as a cabinet minister in the Manmohan Singh government.Question does not arise to replace Mr Koda as he is doing well as Chief Minister.'' When pointed out that Mr Koda himself had offered to step down if Mr Soren agreed to accept the post of the Chief Minister,Mr Mahto said, ''It was Mr Koda's opinion.But the UPA is intact and we do not favour any change of guard at this juncture.'' Mr Mahto said instead of adorning the chief minister's chair Guruji would guide Mr Koda as the chairman of the steering committee.

He said the acquittal of Mr Soren had infused new blood in the party which will assure the win of UPA candidate Suman Mahto in the Jamshedpur bypoll.

UNI