Koda net ahead of rivals' in '09

RANCHI: Former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda seems to have outshined all other top leaders of Jharkhand, thanks to his alleged involvement in different corruption cases.

If presence on the internet is any indication, Koda has surpassed even ‘Guruji’ Shibu Soren, the No.1 leader of the region and also his two predecessors Arjun Munda and Babulal Marandi.

Even the legendary hero of Jharkhand, Birsa Munda, is way behind Mr Koda in terms of Net presence. Birsa Munda’s name is taken with great respect as one of the freedom fighters in the Indian struggle for Independence. Jaipal Singh Munda, who led the Indian hockey team in Amsterdam Olympics to clinch gold medal in 1928, and a prominent leader of the Jharkhand movement has only 10,700 links.

As one goes to Google search engine to know about Jharkhand or its personalities, except Team India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the name which provides most number of search options is Madhu Koda. There are about 800,000 links of Madhu Koda and information related to him.

Guruji, as Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) supremo and former chief minister Shibu Soren is fondly called, has only 62,300 results on the Google. His contribution to the Jharkhand movement is even recognized by his opponents.

Similarly, the longest serving Jahrkhand chief minister — Arjun Munda — has only 26,500 search options.
Babulal Marandi, another former chief minister provides 44,900 search options. So, all former chief minister together provide 133,700 search options which falls much short of Madhu Koda.

The only personality, who is much ahead of any other Jharkhandi is, of course, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who hails from Ranchi. Dhoni has 2,650,000 search options.

Koda, interestingly, has also earned the distinction of finding a place in the Limca Book of Records as the longest serving Independent chief minister.

At present, Mr Koda is facing charges of evasion of income tax, amassing wealth disproportionate to known sources of income. He was lodged in Birsa Munda jail but recently shifted to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) after developing some complications.