Madhu Koda dodged interrogation yet again on Thursday, ignoring a summons that required him to be in Delhi to explain exactly how a chief minister collects assets worth 4000 crores.

Instead of meeting the Enforcement Directorate officials who're handling his case, the former chief minister of Jharkhand was campaigning in Chaibasa, the part of Jharkhand from where he has six candidates contesting the state elections. Among them, his wife, Geeta.

It's not just Koda who's not cooperating with investigators. Two of his associates, Binod Sinha and Sanjay Choudhary, have defied deadlines that asked them to surrender or face legal action.

Koda's own resilience is a far cry from his initial reaction to the investigation against him.  Complaining of a severe stomachache, he spent days in hospital, where he was off-limits to anyone but his doctors or family.

After recovering, he said he wants to focus on Jharkhand's elections, after which, he has promised, "I will go wherever they call me.''

An arrest warrant could be issued against Koda, but investigators worry that will scare Sinha and Choudhury from eventually surfacing.  Their testimony against Koda, sources say, could help ensure a water-tight case against the man whose money they allegedly invested illegally.