Intelligence failed to prevent terror attacks: Paswan

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Saturday, November 29, 2008



In the wake of the terror attack in Mumbai, the Union Minister of Steel and president of Lok Janshakti Party, Ramvilas Paswan admitted to the failure of the intelligence agencies in preventing terror attacks.

Addressing a rally on the 8th foundation day of LJP at Morhabadi ground in the State capital on Friday, Paswan advocated for the need to strengthen the federal structure and federal policing.

He said such terror strikes could be stopped only after the State Governments and the Central Government resolve to fight the menace together.

"After 9/11, no terror strike could take place in America, as the country restructured its federal policy and formulated a joint mechanism to weed out the tentacles of terrorism from its soil," he added.

Defending the Central Government in the wake of the terror attack, Paswan said: "Often the State Governments play safe by putting the onus of terror strike on the Central Government… but the State Governments cry foul when the Central Government tries to reason out with these Governments on security issues."

The Minister also paid homage to Malayesh Banerjee and Prakash Mandal of Jharkhand who lost their lives at the hand of terrorists in Mumbai and condemned the terror attack. But he appealed to the people and political parties not to adopt dual policy over terrorism.

Making a direct attack on BJP for branding terrorism, Paswan said: "BJP raises a hue and cry about terrorism only when the terrorists are non-Hindus. It is now shielding accused persons of Malegaon blast, who happen to be mostly Hindus."

"I cannot say that they are BJP men but Malegaon blast has a link with the party and its 'transmitter RSS'," he added.

Paswan, who was in the State to expand the political bandwidth of the party in Jharkhand, reiterated that only LJP was able to deliver good governance.

Hoping that the Assembly elections in five States would enable the party to gain reorganisation as a national party from the Election Commission, Paswan remarked: "LJP has taken major political stride and gained recognition and support of the people in different parts of the country… and we will rule the politics after 20 years."

Soren still in a fix; Tundi appears viable option

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Friday, November 28, 2008

Till now JMM chief Shibu Soren has kept his UPA counterparts and Opposition NDA guessing about his probable constituency from where he would like to enter in the State Assembly. Guruji is thinking of some other constituency to contest from. However, it is neither Tamar where the by-election would be held on December 29, nor Jamtara where the suspended BJP MLA Vishnu Bhaiya offered to vacate his seat for the smooth passage of Soren into the Assembly.

Well-placed sources in the JMM said that Soren might choose Tundi constituency currently represented by JMM legislator Mathura Prasad Mahto. The era of speculation prevailing from the last three months about the probable constituency of Soren would end within a couple of days. On last Wednesday, Soren while interacting with the media had said: “I will speak to the media after a few days.” Not stating clearly, he hinted that Tamar might not be in his list from where he could contest.

Going by his own statements, Soren is left with Jamtara to seek election. But “Jamtara or no Jamtara”, Soren cannot decide it alone as the State Congress would not like to give away its traditional seat. The sources in the Congress said that the party might not support if Soren wishes to contest from Jamtara. “He is a tribal leader and he should contest from Tamar rather from Jamtara,” said a senior Congress leader.

But amid this confusion, the State BJP is left with a daunting task ahead: Who will take on the JMM stalwart Shibu Soren if he wishes to contest election from Jamtara. The party is left with no stalwart within its fold who could at least throw a decent contest to Soren.

Monitoring the move of the JMM and its own suspended party MLA, the BJP has not yet decided the name. But well-placed party sources said that the party was likely to field Tarun Gupta, president BJP Jamtara. Meanwhile, the suspended BJP MLA hinted that he was likely to resign from his seat any time in favour of Soren. The BJP will be left with the task to save its seat which it had won by a margin of 3,991 votes.

Wished not to be quoted, a senior party leader accepted that the party had no such popular figure to throw challenge to Soren. Hence the party fielding a candidate against Soren would be nothing but a mere ceremony. Refusing the contention, the party lacked leaders of the stature of Soren, the president of the State BJP, Pashupati Nath Singh, said: “Personality might be a matter but it cannot overshadow the ideology and party principles. The BJP has no such problems of candidates, let Soren decide his constituency first.”

Morality no ground to resign: Soren

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Thursday, November 27, 2008

Emerging out of the meeting of the State working committee of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), JMM chief Shibu Soren on Wednesday declined to seek resignation of two ministers of the State Cabinet — Ainosh Ekka and Harinarayan Rai — against whom two days back a special vigilance court directed to file cases in connection with disproportionate properties.

When asked whether or not he (Soren) would seek resignation of the ministers on morality ground and also to ensure an impartial inquiry into their disproportionate properties, Soren shielded his ministers by saying he would not take any decision unless he goes through the documents.

"Morality cannot be a ground for tendering or asking resignation…morality has no place in the politics. I will not recommend any CBI inquiry against them," Soren thus clarified his stand while answering to some of the pointed question. But he refused to react about other ministers who were facing similar charges in the court by calling it sub-judice.

Opening a front against the Left Front Government in West Bengal for committing atrocities against tribals and the original inhabitants, the working committee decided to hold a protest rally at Shahid Minar in Kolkata on January 20. It also decided to submit a memorandum against the West Bengal Government.

He reacted over the remarks of his West Bengal counterpart Budhadeo Bhattacharya, who alleged the tribals affiliated with the JMM in the West Bengal had association with the Maoist groups and they wanted to create terror in the State.

Shibu said: "As the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, I dismiss this allegation as baseless, even an autocratic setup cannot speak and behave in the manner chosen by him against the people." He said the JMM was always against using such methods. Referring to the political resolution passed in this respect, he termed the West Bengal Government synonymous to gundaraj (the rule of goons) and asserted that the party would expand its base in the West Bengal. It would begin with the meeting of the working committee meeting of the JMM on December 20 at Purulia.

Coming out with a decision to expand its political bandwidth in the south India, the JMM decided to fight election in Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Kerla, and Tamil Nadu. It is also mulling for the same in Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The party would hold campaign to highlight the developmental works done by the party from the next Monday. Besides it, the party would constitute the booth committees in view of the next general elections.

LS seat-sharing: BJP not ready to keep JD(U) in good humour

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Let the Janata Dal United go it alone in Jharkhand and fight the forthcoming general elections, the State BJP would not like to share (so many) seats with its junior ally which has demanded six parliamentary seats from the BJP, well-placed sources in the State BJP said.
After State UPA allies which entered into a virtual slang match with each other to stake claims over seats a month back, now it is the turn of the NDA allies to pick the trail, although the tussle is by-polar.

The JD(U) has claimed stake over Hazaribagh, Dhanbad, Giridiha, Chatra, Palamu and Godda. The BJP is not amused as its junior partner is claiming Hazaribagh constituency where the BJP wants to field its national vice president Yaswant Sinha.

Appearing determined to repeat what JD(U) did during the last Lok Sabha elections when it fielded its candidate in five parliamentary constituencies after the BJP refused to spare any seat for its junior ally, the president of State JD(U) said: "We respect BJP as our big brother and senior partner…but they should not dictate the terms as such."

Stating further Mahto added that JD(U) might not hesitate to field its candidates if nothing definite comes from the side of BJP. While both the parties tried to place the onus of seat sharing on the high command of party but the leaders of both the parties continue to harp disharmonious tones.

Although the sources in JD(U) confided that the party was adopting a pressure tactic to get at least two seats but Mahto who rejected it outright said: "The party wants not less than six seats as per the decision taken by the working committee and it would be least concerned about the probable damage that the NDA might face in the forthcoming LS election if JD (U) indeed decides to take on the BJP in a friendly contest for the above six parliamentary constituencies." In the last general elections when the JD(U) contested five seats on its own besides the BJP contesting all the seats- the NDA could not open its account in Jharkhand.

Reacting over the demands of the JD(U), the president of state BJP Pashupati Nath Singh said the decision and any comment in this regard could be taken only by the national president of the party and its prime ministerial candidate LK Advani. The State BJP had no role in it, he added. But with in the BJP the sources said that the party was firm in its decision not to leave any seat for the JD(U). BJP has already submitted the recommendation list of the party candidates for all 14 parliamentary seats.

Referring to 'Raisumari', undertaken by the Organizational Secretary of Central BJP Ramlal in the month of June to obtain the view of party workers about candidates was as an indication that the Central BJP would hardly party workers regarding candidates that the central high command of the party would hardly keep JD (U) in good humour.

Even Congress wants Governor to go

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi February 7, 2009


In the weeks gone—after the imposition of the President’s rule it has become apparent that Governor Syed Sibte Razi and the leaders of the state Congress, haven’t been on the same page over several issue.

In a recently sent memorandum submitted to the AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, the State Congress leveled specific number of charges against Razi and demanded his immediate removal.

The news will please the NDA, even though the opposing alliances have been on the war of words. But, both share similar demand—the governor must go—the BJP wants to execute it through agitation while the Congress through memorandum.

The leaders of the state Congress have been strictly directed not make any official or unofficial visit to governor or to participate in any of the programmes of the governor without the prior permission of the party.

“Failing which the party would take disciplinary actions”, a senior party leader quoted this portion of this vocal directive of the party.

Last week, the state Congress served notice on two of its media in-charge—Alok Kumar Dubey and Pradeep Tulsayan for their meeting with the Governor.

Knowing well that their complaints are seldom taken seriously by the top rung of the central leaders of the party and their clamours turn into whisper the Congressmen from the state have decided to raise the matter with the party President and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on coming Tuesday.
Sonia Gandhi and the AICC General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi would meet the chiefs of District and Block Congress Committees of Jharkhand in New Delhi on February 9.

In this one page memorandum signed by the office in-charge of the State Congress Madan Mohan Sharma, the party termed the governor as pro-BJP and his further continuation in the office would damage the poll prospect of the Congress.

Confirming this, well-placed sources in the party said that in the memorandum Razi has been accused off being more caring to the BJP in the appointments of the key posts and ignoring even the genuine points/ demands of the Congress MPs and MLAs.
The memorandum has been substantiated with the recent transfer and posting for the key post, executed by Razi after the imposition of the President’s rule in Jharkhand.
The appointment of the senior police cop Amitabh Chaudhary as the special secretary (Home) worsened the current stand off. Questioning the wisdom behind appointing a (pro-BJP) bureaucrat the party wanted to know how come the Congress will fight the general election and hope to retain its respective tally in Jharkhand in an administrative set-up guided and controlled by a known BJP man.

The decision surprised most of the Congress leaders as the state BJP is seriously considering fielding Chaudhary as BJP candidate from Jamshedpur in the forth coming general election.
In the memorandum Razi has been accused off putting on saffron glasses while appointing the vice chancellors of the university. Speaking on this a senior party leader blamed: “Most of these newly appointed vice chancellors are associated with the NDA…It is the saffronisation of the educational institutes”.

Congress leaders are peeved at the recent administrative reshuffle. The party is in hurry to place its own chosen set of bureaucrats for the key post before the election but Razi hardly entertained them.

Commented a senior party leader and MLA: “However Razi is a known Congress cadre but he is allergic to the Congress…hostile is a fit word.”

However, the Congress comes with official denial but still facts remain that some six months back the same Congress leaders had sent memorandum against Razi to the senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot.

This memorandum is the redo copy of the last one—yet allegations are still fresh and serious.