New Delhi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Madu Koda has entered the Limca Book of Records as the first independent legislator to become a chief minister by forming a government with only four other MLAs.
A representative of the Book of Records, S N Tlee, handed over the certificate to Koda at a press conference here on Saturday. On being told that Biswanath Das of Orissa was the first independent to become a chief minister in 1971, Tlee said Koda had entered the book for forming his government with just four other independent MLAs.
Koda was sworn in as chief minister on September 18, 2006 at the head of a UPA government. After accepting the certificate, a delighted Koda said he had never dreamt of entering the Limca Book of Records.
Claiming that he had made set more records that were not known to many, he said, "I was the only independent candidate who won the 2005 assembly elections, defeating candidates from national parties who lost their deposits."
Asked whether he would enter the record books again as he was on his way to becoming the longest serving indepenent MLA-turned-chief minister, a beaming Koda said, "I will complete my tenure with the support of all coalition partners."
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