Soren to review Koda's performance after Jamshedpur LS bypoll

Dumka, Aug 25 (UNI) Jharkhand Mukti Morcha(JMM) supremo Sibu Soren, who was released from the Dumka Central jail, today said a review of the UPA backed Madhu Koda government's performance would be done after the conclusion of the byelection to Jamshedpur parliamentary seat, scheduled on August 29.

Mr Soren would visit Jamshedpur tomorrow on a two-day programme to canvass for party candidate Suman Mahto, widow of Sunil Mahto, who was assassinated by naxals early this year.

Addressing a press conference here after his release, the former Coal Minister said he was more committed to welfare of Jharkhand for which he had been fighting for the past 40 years and had been jailed several times.

In a praise, tinged with warning, he said the present state government was doing better than the earstwhile NDA dispensation but the people of Jharkhand were required to be more aware about 'corruption charges' levelled against the government.

To a question, he said if the UPA's central leadership asked him to join the cabinet he might consider the same but made it clear that he was not in the race.

The family members of Shashinath Jha were contemplating to approach the Apex Court, Mr Soren expressed full faith in democracy and Judiciary saying the doors of the Court was open to all.

When the reporters pressed hard for his response to the reports that he was all set to replace Mr Koda, he said he was not interested in any post now and wish to remaines dedicated to the state's cause.

''As a guardian, I would certainly review the performance of Mr Koda after the by-poll was over,'' he said.

On August 23, in a major statement with far-reaching political ramification, Soren's wife Rupi Soren openly said her husband, who was acquitted by the Delhi Court, should be made Chief Minister of Jharkhand.

Ms Soren made no bone to express her dissatisfaction over Chief Minister Madhu Koda's ''misgovernance.'' The statement by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) supremo's wife assumed significance as Mr Koda was the first to congratulate the jailed leader of his acquittal by the court on August 22.

Mr Koda, who in the past few days had been under intense opposition attack over a corruption charge leading to the adjournment of the monsoon session sine die early this week said he was ready'', to make way for Guruji.

Mr Koda said he would abide by any instruction in this regard the moment he was asked to do so by the UPA high command.

UNI