Koda insists tax raids were politically motivated

Ranchi: Former chief minister Madhu Koda yesterday kicked off his campaign for the Jharkhand assembly polls, telling hundreds of supporters who turned up to welcome him that he would quit politics if charges against him in a Rs2.5 billion money laundering scam were proved.

"I fear I could be killed by conspirators. I will quit politics if investigation agencies prove that I invested in foreign countries or purchased land or mines in foreign countries. There is a conspiracy to keep me away from assembly elections as people are jealous of my [political] growth," Koda said in Chaibasa.

Koda on Friday disappeared from his Ranchi home and surfaced in his Lok Sabha constituency of Singhbhum in the evening. He is trying to establish a connect with people in his constituency by playing the tribal card.

Implicated

"I am being implicated as I belong to a poor tribal family. I will expose everyone at a suitable time," said Koda.

He said there was a conspiracy to disassociate him from the people of his constituency. "One cannot keep me away from elections as this is my constitutional right," said Koda, an independent MP now.

His supporters have floated the Jharkhand Navnirman Morcha (JNM) and announced the names of five candidates to contest the November 25 elections. Geeta Koda, his wife, is a nominee from the Jaggarnathpur constituency.

In Jharkhand, a party with three to four seats can end up being the kingmaker.

The IT department and Enforcement Directorate (ED) have conducted raids at 69 places in eight Indian cities, including Koda's home, since October 31.

Koda insists the raids were politically motivated.

A diary of Koda seized by the IT department reportedly names many Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders. "I will expose people who were instrumental in the raid," he said.

Koda, who was in hospital for several days, appeared to be in good health as he met supporters and took part in various programmes. He covered 300km by road to reach his hometown on Friday.

Asked about the business of close associate Vinod Sinha, he said: "Ask Vinod Sinha about the charges against him."