Patna, November 1
The opposition NDA in Jharkhand today virtually caught the already red-faced Congress, a supporting partner of the ruling UPA there, on wrong foot following a major faux pas by none other than Chief Minister Madhu Koda himself.

The incident, that reportedly humiliated both Madhu Koda and the Congress, was in connection with the 23rd death anniversary of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi yesterday.

Reports said Koda, at a function organised by the Congress to mark the occasion, paid tributes to Indira’s daughter-in-law and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi instead of Indira Gandhi. Reports quoted Koda saying, “Sonia Gandhi sustained bullets in her body. She sacrificed her life for the country”.

And Koda reportedly did not stop there. Talking to the media he further highlighted the need of the hour was to follow the footsteps of “late Sonia Gandhi”.

While embarrassed Congress leaders in Jharkhand chose to describe it as a “slip of the tongue” by the Chief Minister and not an intended mistake, the opposition NDA termed it as a major blunder demanding unconditional apology from Koda.