Geeta Koda, wife of former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda who is in jail facing corruption charges, is trying to create a sympathy wave terming her husband a ?victim of political conspiracy? and showcasing his ?achievements? to wrest the Jagannathpur (ST) seat, which he vacated after winning as an Independent MP from Singhbum earlier this year.
While posters claiming Koda?s innocence have sprung up in the constituency which he represented in the Assembly for two consecutive terms?in 2000 as a BJP candidate and then in 2005 as an Independent?Geeta reiterates the same point in her rallies, her two-year-old daughter in her arms.
?My husband has become a victim of a political conspiracy hatched by big leaders. Vote for me to teach these conspirators a lesson,? she said during a public meeting at Jagannathpur, which goes to polls in the fifth phase on December 18, on Tuesday. She is pitted against the BJP?s Sonaram Birwa, Congress-backed JVM?s Mangal Singh Bobonga, JMM?s Mangal Singh Surin and Trinamool Congress?s Jawala Koda.
She paints a rosy picture of her husband, refuting allegations such as that he spent Rs 2 crore on his campaign during the Lok Sabha polls. ?Such canards were spread by his rivals to malign him. Work done by him is not forgotten by the people.The result will be known soon,? she said in the rally.
Going from village to village, Geeta tries to mobilise her husband?s network of supporters. ?Every day she has been addressing a dozen meetings. The response of the people is very encouraging,? said Sudhir Kisku, a Koda loyalist.
The Kodas are of the view that the mandate will be fractured again. In such an eventuality, the victory of a few of the six nominees put up by Madhu Koda may help them play a key role in the formation of the next government. After he was booked by the state?s Vigilance Bureau, the former chief minister had floated the Jai Bharat Samanata Party (JBSP).
?Bhagwan Birsa Munda died behind bars. Even he (Madhu Koda) was jailed by his rivals. Now, it is the turn of the people to vote for his wife and end the nemesis that has befallen him,? said Dinkar Murmu, a JBSP member.
