Koda ready to step down

Amidst reports that JMM chief Shibu Soren is campaigning hard to stake claim to the Jharkhand chief minister8217;s post, incumbent Chief Minister Madhu Koda on Tuesday said he is ready to step down if the UPA wanted Soren to replace him.

8220;Two years ago the UPA leadership had made me the Chief Minister. Now, if Sonia Gandhi, Lalu Prasad and Shibu Soren decide to replace me with Guruji as CM, I have no problems. I can quit,8221; Koda said. However, the ruling alliance in the state is divided over Soren replacing Koda. While the RJD and a section of the JMM leadership wanted Koda to continue in office, a considerable number of party men preferred Soren over Koda.