BJP's three-hour token strike a political faux pas: Leaders

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Jharkhand NDA led by BJP found itself on back foot for a good reason to go for a three-hour token strike against price hike in petroleum product against its pre decided stand of a daylong strike. State BJP spokesperson Viranchi Narayan said the party did not want to cause any inconvenience to the common mass and the token strike would equally carry our stand on price hike and the failure of the UPA Government in taming the spiraling prices. BJP leaders were busy in justifying the decision of the party with three different arguments. However, some of them shyly admitted that the party faltered on this point and committed a political faux pas. The only common thing among them is--the party decided not to cause inconvenience to the common mass, which was reportedly fade up with frequent strikes called by the political parties, a wise idea that came very late. The decision caused resentment among the party cadres and leaders as most of them wanted the party to think of the strike the day the State Government announced a tax relief of Rs 40 on LPG.

"It eroded popularity and mass support that the party bagged after a prolonged 12-day agitation", said a top leader. A relief of Rs 40 was the only fine decision of Koda Government under given circumstances and BJP could showcase it as its triumph in persuading the State Government to do this, he added. The highly-placed sources indicated the lack of consensus about why and when of the proposed strike was missing during the decision. The party could not find a suitable date. While declining it State BJP president PN Singh said the party opted June 10 in consultation with other leaders of NDA including State JD(U) president Jaleswar Mahto, Janta Dal United. But it is also a fact that June 6 was the most probable and agreeable date that could provide maximum dividend to party. The party sources indicated that several factors forced the leadership to change its mind. State BJP treasurer Mahesh Poddar opposed it by saying that business class could not support the bandh an apprehension that came true. The fate of strike became clear the day Koda announced concession. In fact BJP had geared up to make it a more historic than its 12-day agitation against the State Government which was not possible, commented a party MLA and former Minister in NDA Government. A senior party leader currently vying for the party ticket for Godda parliamentary constituency had forewarned the strike likely to turn in a political fiasco.Leader to the Opposition Arjun Munda, who spoke on the party line, said the current relief was eyewash and if the Government was really concerned about the common mass it should promptly slash taxes on essential commodities.