Congress trashes reports of Madhu Koda’s wife joining party

NEW DELHI: Scotching speculation about incarcerated former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda’s wife joining Congress, Union minister Jairam Ramesh has said there is no such proposal and “no tainted leader will be encouraged” by Congress with Rahul Gandhi being there.

Ramesh, however, repeatedly clarified that his remarks are not about RJD chief Lalu Prasad about which there are increasing speculations of an alliance in Congress despite reservations from certain quarters.

“Repeatedly this news is being published that Madhu Koda and Gita Koda will join Congress. I want to deny it completely. There is no proposal. Earlier it was published they would join on December 28."

“Now it is being said that they would participate in my presence on January 4. There is no proposal neither was there, nor is nor will be there. With Rahul Gandhi being there, no tainted leader will get encouragement... I am not saying anything about Laluji..I am saying about Koda,” Ramesh, who is the Chairman of the Coordination Committee for Congress-JMM government in Jharkhand, told reporters.

“I cannot say what will happen with Laluji. I cannot say anything on that but... but the stand that he (Rahul) took on Lokpal and asked states to make new Lokayukta Act and what he said about Adarsh telling Maharashtra Chief Minister reconsider what the Cabinet did rejecting the report, ...all these give clear indication that on the issue corruption, the Congress Vice President is not ready compromise,” Ramesh said.

He said one should not compromise on corruption and “time has come to take clear stand”.