Governor Syed Sibtey Razi, Union ministers Shibu Soren and Subodh Kant Sahay (second from right), and chief minister Madhu Koda with the newly appointed ministers — Chandra Prakash Choudhary, Stephen Marandi and Dulal Bhuiyan — at Raj Bhavan. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Oct. 8: With Governor Syed Sibtey Razi administering oath to All Jharkhand Students’ Union (Ajsu) MLA Chandra Prakash Choudhary, a fresh round of political upheaval is expected to take off as Choudhary has extended his support to the Madhu Koda government without the approval of his party.

Choudhary was a former land reforms and revenue minister in Arjun Munda-led NDA government.

President of Ajsu Sudesh Mahto said Choudhary could join the government at his own risk.

“I have called a meeting of the party central committee tomorrow to decide on his fate. He is sure to attract disqualification proceedings,” Mahto said.

According to the Constitution, legislators under the 10th Schedule will not face disqualification “only if not less than two-thirds of the members of the legislature party concerned have agreed to merge with another political party”.

Ajsu, however, has only two legislators in the 81-member House.

The disqualification petition against Anosh Ekka, Kamlesh Singh and Stephen Marandi already lies with the Assembly Speaker.

Anosh and Kamlesh, says former Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari, “are sure to be disqualified under the anti-defection law”.

Choudhary also happens to be a close relative of Sudesh, whose “dominating” role in the NDA government had allegedly led Madhu Koda and other Independents to part ways with the Munda government.

Choudhary, on the other hand, said he was sure the Ajsu would back him on his stand.

“I have extended the support in the larger interests of the state, particularly for the development of my constituency,” he said.

“Moreover, I had won the elections neither on the strength of the NDA nor the UPA. I had fought it on my own,” he added.

Meanwhile, Choudhary’s decision to dump the NDA has not come as a surprise in the political circle.

He, in fact, had had differences with Sudesh for quite some time over his supremacy in the party and in the Munda government as well.

Sudesh had once tried to appease him by nominating him to the coordination committee set by the Munda government.

Choudhary cited various reasons for his displeasure with the Munda government, blaming Sudesh for his marginalisation.

He held the portfolio of land and revenue but, he alleged, Arjun Munda often ignored him while settling land for industries.

Choudhary held up the file, moved to allot land to Baba Ramdev, which had been cleared by Munda without his consent.

According to another version, Choudhary’s move might have the tacit support of Sudesh, who, however, vehemently denied it.

The logic is that Choudhary has struck a deal to get the portfolios earlier held by Sudesh in the NDA government, and cover up the irregularities committed during his regime.

The defection game apart, Choudhary has strengthened Madhu Koda’s position as the strength of the UPA is now pegged at 42.