Suspended BJP MLA eyes SPRDA chief's post

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi, Thursday, October 2, 2008

The Jharkhand Government is in the process to form Santhal Pargana Regional Development Authority (SPRDA). The official sources said a notification in this regard is likely to be issued this month.

The issue of the formation of SPRDA came to fore during Dumka visit of Chief Minister Shibu Soren, where he said that the State Government was serious about the demand of the people of Santhal Pargana to form SPRDA. The SPRDA would cover six districts, three parliamentary and 18 Assembly constituencies.

SPRDA that existed during undivided Bihar turned redundant after the formation of Jharkhand. In the past, the BJP Government led by Babulal Marandi took initiatives to form SPRDA, which could not materialise for some reasons. Now finding a Chief Minister of their region, who took such a major decision, the people of Santhal Pargana can hope for a planned development.

However, who would be the chairman of SPRDA is a moot point. Vishnu Bhaiya, a suspended BJP MLA representing Jamtara, is eying for the post of the Chairman, SPRDA. Would JMM allow such a crucial post to slip out of its hand as Santhal Pargana plays a crucial role in deciding the politics of the State?

The sources close to Vishnu Bhaiya confided that the MLA was lobbying for the post in lieu of the support he extended to Chief Minister Shibu Soren during one month-long political turmoil in Jharkhand.

Of late, the MLA expressed his readiness to vacate Jamtara assembly constituency for the safe entry of Soren in the State Assembly. The MLA who is facing case of disqualification under 10th schedule of the Constitution wants the things in his favour before he loses the power to bargain.

However, Vishnu Bhaiya feigned ignorance about the formation of SPRDA and said that the support he extended to Soren had no connection with any post or ministry. But he did not rule out the possibility of his resignation from the state assembly. The JMM insiders said that the MLA wanted the post in exchange for Jamtara. Although Soren can try his luck from Tundi and Tamar but Jamtara is slated to be safer than these two constituencies.

On the whole issue, a senior JMM functionary said that the party would certainly give a respectable position to Vishnu Bhaiya, who deserted Jharkhand Vikash Morcha and Babulal Marandi to support Soren at a time when the JMM was facing volley of protest in its bid to form the Government.

After shifting his political loyalty twice, Vishnu Bhaiya is ready to jump to JMM wagon to start his third inning in the State politics with equally important post. The move met with a sharp reaction by JVM. Praveen Singh, general secretary JVM said that the MLA (Vishnu Bhaiya) left the JMM only to join the political Samjhauta express of the JMM, which he found lucrative.