Naveen Jindal promised Congress support to Madhu Koda, claims CBI

NEW DELHI: Industrialist Naveen Jindal had promised Congress support to the then "unstable" Madhu Koda government in Jharkhand in return for a recommendation for allocation of the Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block to his group firms, CBI has said in its charge sheet.

CBI's charge sheet claimed that Jindal had "conspired" with Koda and promised to help him in completing his term as the chief minister in return for allocation of the coal block in Jharkhand.

Koda, who was an Independent MLA, was chief minister of Jharkhand from September 14, 2006 to August 23, 2008 with the support of Congress, RJD and others.

"Investigation revealed that Naveen Jindal had met Madhu Koda several times in Ranchi and also at Delhi. He requested Koda to recommend his two companies M/s Jindal Steel & Power Ltd and M/s Gagan Sponge Iron Pvt Ltd for allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal Coal Block.

"Naveen Jindal conspired with Madhu Koda and promised him to garner support of the Congress Party for his unstable government and help him in continuing as Chief Minister, Jharkhand," the charge sheet said.

Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar after taking cognizance of the charge sheet today summoned as accused Jindal, Koda, former Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayan Rao and 12 others, including give firms.