BJP plans huge protest against Centre, State Govts' failure

Navtan Kumar & Vijay Deo Jha RANCHI Thursday, May 1, 2008

The Jharkhand BJP on Wednesday decided to launch a massive agitational programme against the UPA Governments at the Centre and in the State for their all-round failure, specially rising prices and acute crisis of water and power.

The decision to this effect was taken in a meeting presided over by State BJP president PN Singh and participated by BJP office-bearers, organisational secretaries and other prominent leaders at the State BJP headquarters.

Party activists from two districts will gherao the Chief Minister's residence from May 12 to 23 in protest against skyrocketing prices, acute crisis of water and power, uncontrolled corruption, administrative failure and overall situation of lawlessness in the State.

Gherao will be followed by "Jail Bharo" agitation. State BJP spokesperson Biranchi Narayan said, "In this connection, a meeting of all the office-bearers, organisations, party MLAs, district presidents, general secretaries and district in-charges have been convened in Ranchi on May 5." In another development, the party has announced to block power supply to the Raj Bhavan and the Chief Minister's residence if the Government failed to solve the prevailing power crisis.

Senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister Arjun Munda alleged that the Government was not sincere in solving the power crisis. Munda also demanded the withdrawal of cases lodged against BJP MLAs and workers for ransacking the Jharkhand State Electricity Board (JSEB) office on Tuesday.

He said the party will launch a separate agitation if the Government failed to do so. The agitation will also include locking of all the GM offices of JSEB all over the State, he added. Meanwhile, Statement of Karuna Shukla, State in-charge of the BJP, regarding the homecoming of Babulal Marandi to BJP, has not cheered at least the Arjun Munda camp, which feels that it has created confusion about party's stand vis-a vis Marandi and his party and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha. Shukla, notably, said in a section of media, that Marandi may rejoin BJP.

Although Shukla corrected it by saying that it was a mere reiteration of party's stand to bringing back those who left the party for some avoidable reasons. What prompted Shukla to modify her statement was the umbrage of the top leaders.

The statement would help Marandi to gain political advantage free of cost to show his indispensability for the BJP, sources said. It is almost certain that the re-induction of Marandi would not be an easy political cakewalk for the party high command; it may have to face revolt in party's rank and file.

However, on different occasions, the party has been categorically denying Marandi's return to the BJP. A top party leader said the workers are ready to face a complete rout in the next Assembly elections rather than going to Marandi with folded hands.

While quoting the example of Uma Bharati, who could not damage the party, he said that the fear of the Central leadership had no base since Marandi's JVM would not be able to damage the BJP in the election, if the central leadership pay more attention to strengthen organisation rather than coaxing Marandi.

According to the highly placed sources, the possibility and prospect of Marandi rejoining the BJP was discussed in the meeting of the core committee of the State BJP attended by Ramlal, organisational secretary, central BJP; Shukla and the prominent party leaders of the State. A top party leader just after the meeting is said to have cornered Shukla for going soft on the induction of Marandi.

However, there are some other top figures in the party, including Kailashpati Mishra, who is in favour of the comeback of Marandi to tame Arjun Munda who has emerged as a stronger leader. The proposal to bring back Marandi met with opposition on the ground that the move would be seen as a complete surrender of the party before Marandi.

Sources close to JVM chief, hinted that Marandi would come back on his terms and conditions which obviously means chief ministerial post if the party comes back to power. However, Marandi kept a tactical silence on this issue and denied having any parley with the top BJP leaders.

For Marandi, too, it will be tough to convince many of his party workers who left their respective parties to join hands with the JVM. Ashok Varma, JVM media in-charge said that there was no possibility of Marandi joining BJP.