Former chief minister Arjun Munda’s residence at Ghorabandha wears a deserted look. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Sept. 14: Before tendering his resignation, Arjun Munda telephoned his septuagenarian mother Saira for blessings.

Munda told his mother that he would continue to serve the people of the state even if he was dislodged from the saddles.

Saira, a patient of diabetes and blood pressure, however, could not take it so easy and a doctor had to be summoned to attend to her.

Munda’s family members disclosed that the ailing woman spoke and ate little since she came to know of his son’s resignation.

The former chief minister’s 15-year-old nephew, Santosh Solanki, too, made no bones about his disappointment: “Today, I am sad as my maternal uncle is no more the chief minister. But I am sure he will be back in power.”

Munda’s Ghorabandha residence, on the outskirts of the city, is also a symbol of emptiness, much like its beleaguered son of the soil. The sprawling house, unlike other days, is bereft of visitors, and is inhabited by his mother, widow sister Dakshini, niece Poonam Patar and nephew Santosh. Elder brother Bhimsen left for Ranchi this morning apprehending a possible fall of his brother’s regime.

However, Kishor Kumar, a security guard outside the former chief minister’s house, was not aware that his master had resigned.

An owner of a small hotel opposite to Munda’s residence felt the tremors of the Koda coup too.

“Now I will not get many customers. Visitors to the former chief minister’s residence all used to be my customers,” the owner said.

But Munda’s 22-year-old nephew Bishwanath Singh held the gleam of hope for his uncle. “There is nothing to worry, my uncle will enjoy power again and serve the people of the state,” he said.

The Durga Puja organisers near Munda’s residence will also have the former chief minister as the chief guest.