Congress in a fix on how to encash NREGA

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Thursday, November 20, 2008

The grand old party, Congress, which in view of the forthcoming general elections moved into electoral exercise in all over India and Jharkhand too, feels that out of many programmes at least two programmes initiated by the party- National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and Panchyati Raj institution, would pay a good electoral dividends.

But situation is somewhat different in Jharkhand where the party feels it would be difficult to project NREGA as an achievement of the party, courtesy to rampant corruption in NREGA during the regime of erstwhile Madhu Koda as Chief Minister.

Even the senior leaders of the party accepted this fact in their private discourse that party failed to make a dent on the political dispensation of the State to check corruption in NREGA project. It even failed to deter the Government even though the State Congress had launched a series of stir against the State Government where in-charge State Congress Ajay Maken threatened to pull down the Government on this issue.

The party MLA Niel Tirkey said on this, "We are in a vulnerable situation as the performance of NREGA is quite dismal. Even today the party is not happy with the present UPA Government in Jharkhand which has not taken corrective measures to stop corruption in NREGA." The party has nothing to showcase about NREGA, he added.

The issue was repeatedly discussed at the party forum where it felt that it was difficult for the party to distance itself from the omission and commission of the past Government on NREGA since the Government was running due to the support of the party.

Now the party has adopted a different strategy to come out of this as party has decided to start a number of programmes to galvanize the public opinion in favour of NREGA. It would organise workers' rally in Palamu division on December 6-7.

The party has announced a set of programme - 'Rajiv Gandhi Panchyatiraj Sangathan' which is scheduled to be held on November 29. The sources said that the programme would focus upon the importance of NREGA.

Congress spokesperson Alok Kumar Dubey said, "We would try to make the people aware of the benefit of such programmes which unfortunately failed in Jharkhand."

The sources said that the party would not hesitate to raise hackle against the JMM if it fails to address the concern and interest of party on NREGA. In today's days development, the party appointed in-charge for 81 Assembly seats for the formation and coordination of women booth committees.

Raghuwar's combat

Das’ anti-MNS protest strokes discipline issue

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Saturday, November 15, 2008

BJP, the party with a difference, showed its difference again bringing once again the internal bickering of the party to fore in Jharkhand.

The protest march led by the firebrand BJP leader and Jamshedpur East MLA, Raguwar Das, on Wednesday before CM House over alleged silence of the State Government for not granting compensation to the family of deceased-- who lost their lives during MNS sponsored backlash in Maharashtra has sparked off a controversy.

A section of leaders backed by the bete-noire of Das blamed him for not informing the party and its president Pashupati Nath Singh before taking on such programmes and staged a demonstration at party office besides submitting a memorandum against Das demanding disciplinary actions against the MLA.

Adding fuel to the fire, PN Singh while interacting with the media on that day declined that Das ever informed the party about his decision to hold such a programme.

Now Das has come forward to counter the claim of Singh. While terming it flippant, Das said: "I had made my intention clear on October 31 at a Press conference and informed the party president accordingly." He even claimed that Leader of Opposition Arjun Munda was also informed about this.

Speaking further Das claimed to have informed the party president during Diwali meet of the party workers in Dhanbad which was "attended by former MP Rita Verma, Ashoka Mandal and thousands of party workers besides Singh, who also took part in it."

"I tried to contact the State BJP president on his mobile and ultimately requested his personal secretary to inform Singh about my programme hence he can not feign ignorance about this," Das buttressed his stand. Daring his opponent to seek his head, Das further said: "If raising issues of public importance is the violation of party discipline...than I am ready to face the axe, let others go to public and justify this."

However, now Singh has adopted a different posture on this and refused to comment calling it "an internal matter of the party and it unbecoming for a party president to breach discipline."

Requesting the media not to make a mountain out of mole and refrain from pursuing this matter further, Singh said: "I do not know what media wants? This is an internal matter of the party and I would not disclose whether the party was informed about the programme or not...I am not obliged to inform the Press about this."

Speaker reserves verdict on suspended MLA’s disqualification

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Thursday, November 13, 2008

On Wednesday, the Speaker of Assembly, Alamgir Alam, reserved the order on the disqualification of suspended BJP MLA Pradeep Yadav, after hearing arguments of petitioner and defendent.

Seeking disqualification of Yadav from the membership of the Assembly, the leader of Opposition in the Assembly Arjun Munda had a filed petition to the Speaker contending that the MLA violated 10th Schedule of the Constitution.

Presenting the case through his counsels; Munda alleged that Yadav joined the delegation of Jharkhand Vikash Morcha led by Babulal Marandi and met with the Governor during the political crisis in Jharkhand- a ground sufficient for his disqualification.

Adding further Munda said that in past Yadav shared dais with Marandi and campaigned against BJP candidates during a couple of by-elections in Jharkhand.In its original petition Munda had also cited instances when the suspended party MLA campaigned against BJP candidate during some of the by-elections in Jharkhand.

Dismissing the contention raised by the petitioner, the counsel of Yadav said that Yadav in no way flouted the party line by joining JVM delegation and demanding President's rule in the State. The reason he stated that since BJP delegation also raised same demand. About the association of Yadav the counsels explained: “My client never said that he is no more a member of BJP, ‘technically’, he is still a member and there is no proof to suggest that he has joined JVM.”

Contending further the defense lawyer said that the newspaper reports could not form the basis to pronounce judgment. The Speaker asked both the parties to submit the supporting materials if they have any.Later on talking to the media Yadav said, “Munda is trying to save JMM Government by seeking disqualifications of the MLAs who opposed the installation of Shibu Soren as Chief Minister… he wants JMM to complete its full term and he choose the best occasion and method to weaken the opposition by seeking our disqualification.”

Although Yadav accepted his association with Marandi and said, “I had been with Marandi and would remain with him…I repeat this again. I will fight the next election together with JVM.” Munda who declined to comment over the proceeding terming the matter as sub-judice however said: “We have urged the Speaker to take decision based on his conscience and available facts which are self explanatory. The Speaker should take the decision under the light of 10th Schedule of the Constitution and the letter and spirit of the Anti Defection Law must be honoured.” On the sideline of the hearing media men asked the Speaker whether he would entertain the reports of the newspaper submitted by BJP as evidence against Yadav.

Alam said that he would minutely study such news items before writing a final judgment. In the context of the decision taken by the Speaker of Hariyan State Assembly where in a suo-moto decision the Speaker disqualified an MLA for joining a delegation of other party- the media men asked Alam whether he found any similarity in both the cases.