Congress resorting to double talk no more secret: Munda

Ranchi, Jul 26 (UNI) A day after the Congress' assurance of not destabilising the Madhu Koda Government in Jharkhand, the Opposition BJP today said it smacked of the party's ''double standard''.

Opposition leader and former Chief Minister Arjun Munda lambasted the Congress, saying the party, which had been so harsh on the Koda government for past few months, suddenly did a volte face after the latest political development in New Delhi.

As Mr Koda happened to be instrumental in convincing JMM president Shibu Soren to back the UPA government on July 22 floor test, the Congress softened its stand on the Jharkhand government, accused of ''misgovernance and indulging in rampant corruption'', Mr Munda stated.

The former Chief Minister said the Congress leadership rendered the Jharkhand government a ''den of corruption'' to make use of it as and when required to wriggle out of crisis when situation like the latest - the floor test in parliament - emerged.

Mr Munda said the State government had failed to deliver the results, as unabated naxalite strikes and criminal activities remained beyond control of the government.

Yesterday, in what may be termed as return gift to Chief Minister Madhu Koda for his ''remarkable effort'' to save the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, the Congress said it would not do anything that would destabilise his coalition government in the state.

The sudden volte face executed by the Congress was a shot in the arm for Mr Koda, an Independent Legislator heading a coalition government comprising JMM, RJD, Congress and few other small groups, as the Congress for the past few months had been exerting pressure on him either to ''perform or perish''.

Ajay Maken, Minister of state for Urban Development and in-charge of party's State affairs in Jharkhand, immediately after taking charge launched a scathing attack on the Koda government setting deadline after deadline for the beleagured Chief Minister.

Mr Maken repeatedly threatened to withdraw support to the government in the state.

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