BJP intensifies anti-VAT move hope for some value addition

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Sunday, June 7, 2009

The State BJP staged a protest demonstration against Value Added Tax (VAT) and tried to ensure a value addition to its politics in the forthcoming Jharkhand State Assembly election.

Scores of BJP leaders staged a dharna in front of the Raj Bhawan and put the garland of vegetables around their neck on Saturday. They criticised the State Government for making the life of the common man miserable by imposing four per cent tax on essential commodities.

The BJP has planned to give a political colour to this issue and once again assured its core constituents - the business community – that the party would carry on and spearhead their fight to its logical end. This was evident from the fact that a large number of BJP leaders participated in Statewide bandh called by the business community against VAT.

The debate over VAT is likely to flare up in the coming days after traders threatened to shut down their business establishments after June 13 if the decision was not revoked by that day. The growing feeling in the Congress is that the BJP’s emotional surcharge over VAT might turn into a lethal weapon against the UPA in the Assembly elections.

The BJP is ready with a couple of slogans like Mahamahim ka tana bana mare garib par bharo khazana and a dozen more will be coined within few days,” a party leader said. BJP leaders are quite unabashed about the strategy they have employed.

From public meetings to banners the BJP plans to move to the villages to arouse the public sentiment. Today, the State BJP bosses will sit together to chalk out a strategy for the anti-VAT movement. The BJP is really looking out for a partner in this game.

Ironically, the common man has not come out against VAT so far, and a bewildered Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) could be seen crying for the public cause.

Both the BJP and the FJCCI are quite concerned that its anti-VAT signature tune has not gained public currency. Congressmen on the other hand are quite confused and divided over the prospect of lending their voice to the anti-VAT cry. Nowhere except in State capital party leaders, under pressure from a contrary constituency, joined the traders. State Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu met Governor Syed Sibtey Razi and requested him to find a solution to the problem. “We do not oppose VAT because it is UPA’s brainchild but we have asked the State Government to take some steps so that poor people and common man do not suffer,” Balmuchu said.

For Balmuchu opposing VAT so openly is quite tormenting and tempting. But this is not for the lone Congress MP and Union Minister for Food and Processing Industries Subodhkant Sahay who has made his mind known.

ECI is biased under Navin, says BJP

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Saturday, June 6, 2009

The State BJP president, Raghuwar Das, referred Navin Chawla as the chief election agent of the Congress and the UPA; rather than the Chief Election Commissioner of India.

What provoked Das against Chawla is the decision of the Commission to conduct elections of two RS seats in Jharkhand on June 20, with two separate ballots without preferential system.

Intending a pitch battle against the UPA and the commission Das announced: “Strategy against the decision will be formulated in a high level meeting of the BJP on Saturday.”

Nevertheless, Das did not disclose whether it will be a political battle or a legal battle nor the party State spokesperson Sanjay Seth said any thing about this. “It will be for the first time in the history of India that elections of two RS seats that fell vacant at the same time are conducted with two separate ballots. Chawla has been doing it to ensure the victory of the UPA for both of the seats,” Das said it in his belligerent podium talk with the media at the party headquarter on Friday.

The sources in the party, however, said that the party might explore legal option to slap on the face of the Commission which has adamant to establish bad precedence Jharkhand. What Das told was the repetition of the old complains that he admitted.

“What I am stating today against Chawla was stated by the BJP in the past and by the former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami who found his role quite dubious.”

The BJP once again blamed Chawla for degrading the impartiality of the Election Commission and Das quoted the new method of RS elections in Jharkhand as an example to this. The BJP fears the election will encourage horse trading. “The UPA deliberately chose to keep the assembly under suspended animation to win RS seats.

"It will encourage horse trading since the party whip will not be effective on the MLAs to follow the party line,” Das said. Das blamed commission for defying the established norms. He said, “It never happened in democratic history of the country where RS election of more than one seats could have been held with two separate ballot system.”

The reason of BJP’s anxiety over the decision is self explained. In this election having no provision of second priority vote it will be quite difficult for the NDA combine to retain even one seat. The BJP has refused to buy the argument that both RS seats in Jharkhand fell vacant at two different times and the decision of the Commission was biased.

“Both the seats fell vacant within a gap of one month. Could not Chawla wait for some days to issue election notification for both seats under ‘preferential system?’ Das lashed.

Whether the battle against the Commission will pay the BJP the dividend it requires; it will be known today. But the contenders for tickets have started intense lobbying. The election committee of the party will sit to discuss the name of candidates today. The sources in the party said that besides former RS MP Ajay Maru and Devdas Apte, senior party leader Om Singh and Shekhar Agrawal are vying for the ticket.

“Some more names might come out of the political recycle bin and you can notice that despite the chances to win election are quite low the numbers of contenders are quite high,” an officer bearer of the party said.

Defeated UPA warriors in ticket fray for RS poll

Vijay Deo Jha Ashis Sinha Ranchi Bokaro Friday, June 5, 2009

In this race for tickets for the Rajya Sabha elections; both the Congress and the JMM share similar feature: defeated warriors trying to enter into Parliament through this safe alley.

The three former Congress MPs — Sushila Kerketta, Dhiraj Kuamr Sahu and Furkan Ansari—one who was denied ticket in parliamentary elections and another who lost it marginally; seemingly joined ticket race for RS elections in Jharkhand.

The two other lost faces in the JMM—Hemlal Murmu and Teklal Mahto—are quite keen about their candidature. Hemant Soren the tyounger son of the JMM chief is also in the fray and it is well expected that he will get the party nomination for the same.

About the Congress sources in central Congress confided about the meeting of state president Pradeep Balmuchu with Oscar Fernandis and Ahmed Patel in News Delhi on Thursday morning where they discussed probable party candidates for elections.

“Initially the party will discuss a panel of names of the candidates for two seats and it will be decided later on should the party accommodate the aspiration of the JMM,” a Congress man said The JMM on the other hand will discuss the name of the prospective party candidate on June 7.

The chief whip of the JMM; Mathura Mahto said this during a press conference on Thursday in Bokaro. “The JMM will stake claim of at least one of two Rajya Sabha seats which fell vacant after two upper house members were elected to Lok Sabha. He said: “Talks will be initiated with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) partners over the election”.

The strategy will be given a final shape on June 10 during the central working committee meeting of the party. Mahto had another pet subject harp to harp on: government formation which he said would be discussed that also. Can such exercise of government formation is feasible in Jharkhand? Within the party a good number of party men doubted Mathura’s claim but they admitted a fresh rumbling among the top party leaders to get party nomination for RS ticket.“Contender number one is Hemlal Mrmu who will be chased by Teklal Mahto…but there are a good number of aspirants and dark horses in the party; see this will be an interesting game,” a party insider said.

But the final decision rests upon the JMM chief Shibu Soren. Murmu who lost from Rajmahal parliamentary constituency is vying for the party ticket. A close confidant of Murmu hoped: “Owing to his seniority and closeness with Shibu Soren he will undoubtedly get party ticket.” Backed by strong Mahto lobby in the JMM Teklal will have a pitched battle with Murmu.

Shift to the Congress house where Kerketta would reasonably demand the party high command to be sympathetic to her. Kerketta who was a sitting MP from Khunti was denied ticket under the pressure of Balmuchu camp. “She is a woman, she was denied ticket and there is a strong lobby in the party that will support her case,” a senior Congress man said.

The state BJP leaders who till yesterday bore elation on their face now fear they might not be able to win any of the seats. Not the numerical strength of the UPA but decision of the Election Commission of India has brought dismay for them. They strongly protest the move of the Election Commission of India to conduct the elections of two seats in two different phases.

A delegation of the BJP leader also met the Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla and demanded the elections of both of the seats at the same time. The assault, consequently, never looked formidable enough. The commission decided to conduct elections of both the seats with two separate ballots.

“Till yesterday, the NDA accused the UPA for turning Jharkhand into a political laboratory…now it is the turn of the ECI to go UPA way and do another experiment on Jharkhand,” a BJP leader bemoaned. “What we can do when if the ECI has taken such a decision; the BJP will fight the election; what else,” state BJP president Raghuwar Das said this.

His combative tone was quite missing. “It is an acceptance of defeat in advance,” this acceptance could so easily have belonged to a BJPman.

BJP gasps in number games for RS election

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Tuesday, June 2, 2009

A delegation of the BJP met Chief Election Commissioner (CEO) Navin Chawla in New Delhi on Monday and demanded him to conduct elections of two vacant seats of Rajya Sabha in Jharkhand against proposed one.

Two seats of Rajya Sabha in Jharkhand became vacant following the victory of the former JD (U) MP Digvijay Singh and Yaswant Sinha from Banka (Bihar) and Hazaribagh parliamentary constituencies respectively.

Speaking over telephone from New Delhi the BJP national vice president Yaswant Sinha who headed the delegation said that they impressed upon CEO not to conduct elections of both of the seats in two different phases.

“It will send a wrong signal that the Commission was doing this to favour a party. There is no logic behind conducting elections of two seats on two different dates if both fell vacant at the same time,” Sinha said.

What transpired in their meeting Sinha said that Chawla assured to take note of their demand. What could be the next course of action of the party if the Commission goes ahead with its plan to conduct election of only one seat, Sinha said, “The BJP will decide the later on.” But well-placed sources in the party said that the party might approach the Supreme Court against the decision.

According to information, notification for the election will be issued on Wednesday. Along with Sinha the state BJP president Raghuwar Das, RS MP SS Ahluwaliya, MP Dhanbad PN Singh, former RS MP Ajay Maru and R. Ramkrishna were in the delegation.

Owing to the reduced strength of the BJP in the assembly it will be difficult for the NDA combine to retain both of the seats. While three of its MLAs were elected in the parliamentary elections another two MLAs resigned previously. Thus, the BJP has the total strength of 24 including suspended MLA Manohar Tekriwal.

If the total strength of the NDA is taken together, including four MLAs of the JD(U), it is 28. NDA might increase its tally by two if AJSU extends its support to the NDA candidate. But the number is not sufficient to sail trough.

To win a seat both the UPA and the NDA allies require 37 votes in a House whose total number has reduced from 81 to 73. The UPA is in comfortable position this time. The UPA combine has 26 MLAs; nine of the Congress and 17 of the JMM. In the number game if UPA manages to persuade its old ally; RJD which has seven MLAs than its total strength will be 33.

The UPA will still require another four votes. Here in number game lays the importance of smaller parties and independent MLAs who will hold the key. Smaller parties like Forward Block, Jharkhand Party and UGDP have two members each in the house. If not sure about Jharkhand Party of Ainosh Ekka than the Congress is quite confident of getting support of these two smaller parties. “Independent MLAs and smaller parties will remain with the UPA and you can predict our victory, please you do it,” a senior Congress leader told confidently.

For the BJP number game is not in its favour. The JD(U), its ally openly questioned the role of the BJP in the defeat of the NDA in the country, and, that of the JD(U) in Jharkhand. The JD(U) might not haggle with the BJP to claim its share only because there are fewer prospects to win.

But, then the BJP is probably hoping for some unexpected turn or a magic to save its seat in an assembly where seemingly impossible things happen, quite unpredictable.

BJP smells rat as only one RS seat goes to poll on June 20

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi June 02

The election for one Rajya Sabha seat in Jharkhand would be held on June 20 with declaration of the result the same day. But the decision of the Election Commission to conduct election of only one seat has surprised the State BJP. The party might explore legal options too.A delegation of BJP leaders will meet the Chief Election Commissioner; Navin Chawla on Monday to express their concern. The delegation will consist of Yaswant Sinha, State BJP president Raghuwar Das, Karia Munda, Arjun Munda and PN Singh.Sources in the State election department informed that a notification in this regard will be issued on June 3 and nominations for the same can be filed till June 10 which will be scrutinised the next day. The Commission had issued a Press note on May 27 but it remained silent about when to conduct the election of another seat.Two seats of Rajya Sabha in Jharkhand became vacant following the victory of Digvijay Singh and Yaswant Sinha from Banka (Bihar) and Hazaribagh parliamentary constituencies, respectively.Speaking over telephone Sinha said: “Only the commission can explain the logic behind conducting elections of two vacant seats on two different dates.”

The moment a Rajya Sabha member is elected in parliamentary election; his/her membership of Rajya Sabha is automatically terminated, Sinha informed.Nevertheless, an official of the State election department said it was necessary for a RS member to submit resignation following his/her election in parliamentary election.

In the case of Digvijay Singh, he had submitted his resigantion from his Rajya Sabha seat before filing his nomination as an independent from Banka.The BJP termed it a deliberate attempt of the Commission to help the Congress win both the seats. “It will be, however, difficult for the Congress to win both the seats if elections for both the seats are conducted the same day,” a senior BJP leader said.Sinha also termed the election politically unethical and morally wrong. The Congress has deliberately kept the Assembly under suspended animation to extract political mileage like managing RS seats, he said.

Sinha further raised objection over the fairness of such elections when five of the MLAs of the Assembly have been elected in parliamentary elections and other three seats are vacant.

Will outsider take on Jharkhand RS mantle again?

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Monday, June 1, 2009

The thought of their party high commands again imposing an outsider and political refugee upon them to fill up two vacancies in the Raya Sabha from Jharkhand is troubling the leaders of the State Congress and the BJP.

Nevertheless, State heavyweights of the UPA who lost elections are trying their best to enter into Parliament once more by getting nomination for the Rajya Sabha. Furkan Ansari, Dhiraj Kuamr Sahu of the Congress and Hemlal Murmu of the JMM are nourishing ambitions to recoup the loss they suffered in the Lok Sabha poll.

However, their clamour may turn to whisper when the decision of their party high command comes in favour of such candidates who have no relation with Jharkhand. "We have not decided the name of the party candidates for RS election. I will soon go to Delhi and request the party high command, Soniaji, to give preference to local faces in filling the two seats," State Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu insisted.

The BJP leaders have not discussed about party candidate for the nomination. "See what happens. Such things are decided by the election committee of the party. It is too early to guess or predict," State BJP spokesperson Sanjay Seth informed monosyllabically. A good number of party leaders admit in their private discourses that such MPs seldom become an asset for the party.

"Burden is a good word," quipped a BJP leader, "because they get their nomination from New Delhi they never come to Jharkhand; never mingle with people or party worker."

Take a look at the number of Rajya Sabha MPs from Jharkhand and the reason for their anxiety will be known. Out of six, four MPS are outsiders, including two MPs ---Yaswant Sinha and Digvijay Singh --- who got elected to Lok Sabha.

BJP MP SS Ahluwalia, a Sikh born and brought up in Asansol, is married to a Bengali and speaks Bengali fluently but never had any role in Bengal politics. He was accommodated in Jharkhand.

When was he seen last time in Ranchi? "It was February 28, this year, when he came along with BJP leader Sushma Swaraj," another senior party leader said in a defensive note. How many questions has he raised about Jharkhand and how much fund could ensure for the developmental projects? "I do not know," exclaimed the same leader.

Nevertheless the website of the Rajya Sabha says that he has raised good number of questions in the Upper House about Jharkhand. Similarly, Congress MP Mabelo Rebello of Goan descent born in Udupi and close to the Goan border with Karnataka, has no connections, even remote, with Jharkhand and its soil. She has been quite shy of asking Jharkhand-centric question in the House.

She is an articulate, seasoned and spirited parliamentarian. When was she seen in Jharkhand? "Last year she had come for a few days…after that we do not know," said a Congress leader. They are obviously assets to their respective parties but do not have any mass base to fall back on election to the Lok Sabha.

JD(U) MP Digvijay Singh on the other hand concentrated more upon his home State Bihar. The BJP, however, corrected this anomaly in the last year RS elections by fielding Jayaprakash Singh, a leader of the State unit of the party. The Congress had no nominee but the party made its choice known for its New Delhi based leader RK Anand, who contested as an independent and lost.

The result of the RS election held last year sprang no surprise. An unknown face, but a business tycoon of Reliance Industries; Parimal Nathwani managed to win as an independent. Those who till yesterday never gave their lungs a rest calling themselves champion of the State had no qualm to vote for him. The JMM was the most.

Nevertheless, Nathwani often tries to make his presence felt through customary Press communiqué and an odd number of development projects for the State capital. His public relation officer, Iqubal Saba maintains that unlike others Nathwani was serious about bringing a change.

Political parties themselves can scarcely be absolved of their responsibility for the failure to groom people who tower over others. If they don't, outsiders will continue to represent the State in national politics. Political refugees, pigeons will again look for a platform in Jharkhand.

RK Anand stumbles on media queries

Angery for being exposed Pix by Mukesh Bhatt

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Monday, June 29, 2009

Jharkhand Olympic Association's president RK Anand's momentary lapse of cool during a media briefing on Sunday afternoon made jarring contrast with a lawyer whose arguments are being lauded even by critics as deft: heads-I-win-tails-you-lose act.

Pressed to answer pinching questions about the alleged irregularities in the functioning of the JOA in conducting the 34th National Games and the spate of media reports in the last couple of months about the involvements of its officials in laundering public money, Anand was barely able to defend his clients, S.M. Hashmi and Madhukar Pathak, the secretary and treasurer of JOA respectively.

However, he rather remained agitated during the Press conference and occasionally kicked the State media for maligning the good name of Jharkhand and JOA by its imprecision and biased reporting. Anand initially lauded the media and said, "Jharkhand was selected as the venue of the National Games due to the support of the State media." But the lawyer took a wrong plea when he pilloried the State media for creating a mess.

The visit of Anand drew much significance after an FIR was filed against Hashmi and Pathak in Ranchi, alleging the duo for misappropriating funds of the JOA, on Saturday.

And, Anand himself admitted that he was forced to intervene in this matter and give the media a correct briefing of all these things media had called: the Press conference to douse the fire after several other members of the JOA and sports personalities of the State raised finger at them. There was a time when Anand admitted the need to correct the functioning of the JOA.

Reacting vehemently, Anand quickly gave the bona-fide certificates to his office-bearers and shifted their alleged load of sin on those who were trying to terrorise Hashmi and Pathak to get a control over the JOA. "I can tell you 101 things about the FIR. This is a case of fabrication of documents and situation," Anand assailed, but chose not to react whether he would prefer an impartial inquiry of these allegations.

"If there is a misappropriation of the government fund as alleged, it is up for the State Government to institute inquiry. Some others are doing this job with a vested interest," Anand dismissed the enormity of the case. If Anand had this untenable plea it hardly covered the gray area of the functioning of the JOA where transparency never exits even in token.

Anand had a tough time answering the media which wanted to know how come the Indian Olympic Association and Jharkhand Olympic Association allowed a group of people having no connection with sport to occupy more than six and seven posts in different sports association that has been associated with JOA.

"There is no bar in the constitution of the IOA that could prevent a person from occupying such posts," Anand told in a convincing tone and cited the example of Jammu & Kashmir.

Anand had done his homework well but the media caught him unprepared where his eloquence shabbily failed. The general election of the JOA will be held on July 2 at Maithan, Dhanbad, and Anand is sure to contest it. Questions have been raised over his decision on the ground of his conviction in BMW case in Delhi. "Under People's Representation Act there is no bar on me to contest election; my case does not fall in that category where a person is barred from contesting elections," Anand claimed. He cited the example of Kalyan Singh; he quoted the case of the former Prime Minister Narsimha Rao and many other who were convicted but fought the election.

"When you will speak in the legal term I will answer legally, it is quite obvious," Anand retorted, but forgot to make a distinction between the 'play and the politics.' There are many who raised objection over the venue of the election.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a member of the JOA did not rule out the possibility of the use of the dirty department to win the election. "It will be known that day but we are yet not provided with the electoral roll for the election which itself a matter of concern," a member of the JOA said.

Whether Anand in his effort to refurbish the image of the JOA got success or not but he will probably be able to turn to the IOA and say he doled the right message out and things are under control and games can be conducted in the month of November. The date will not fail this time, he pledged.

Hashmi, Pathak in trouble after Rai files complaint of funds laundering

Untold story of the National Games unfold through FIR

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Sunday, June 28, 2009

An FIR was lodged by Bamshankar Prasad Rai of Dhanbad district Badminton Association against the secretary and the treasurer of Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA) SM Hashmi and Madhukant Pathak on Saturday for alleged misappropriation of money meant for the holding the 34th National Games in Jharkhand.

Rai who initially lodged this complaint with the IG of Ranchi division was registered by the Lalpur police station under section 406,409,467,468,471 and 120 of the Indian Penal Code. The IG referred this matter to the city SP through the letter no 265/dated June 26, 2009 for investigation. Rai also submitted a voluminous document that he procured from the State Sports Department under Right to Information Act.

In his complain Rai has alleged that both the officials of JOA embezzled funds in the name of conducting the general meeting of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in Jharkhand. While in its expenditure report of the year 2005-06 and 2006-07 JOA is claimed to have spent Rs 11.30 and 11.80 lakhs respectively over the two general meeting of the Indian Olympic Association in Jharkhand.But it is to be seen that the meeting of the IOA was held only once in Jharkhand against the claimed two, Rai claimed.

Leveling charges against them Rai in his FIR has said that the duo even concealed Rs 5 lakhs and 3.70 lakhs respectively the amount that JOA received from the State Government as subsidiary grant during the financial year 2002-03 and 2003-04.

Both Rai and Pathak even mislead other members of the JOA over the auditing of the accounts of the association. Quoting the FIR; in the general meeting of the JOA held on April 30, 2005 in Bokaro they had said that the accounts of the JOA for the year 2004-05 could not be audited due to the non-appointment of an auditor.

Rai who had filed an RTI to get the status report submitted documents to show that JOA had completed the auditing of the accounts just two days back. The JOA was constituted on June 17, 2001 but so far it has not been registered under Society Act 1860 which was termed as a calculated design of the duo to siphon off Government's money.

Requesting proper investigation of the matter Rai said that it would expose a big time scam which has going on in Jharkhand on the name of conducting national games.It is up to the police to unearth truth but it is seen as an extension of on going media war among some of the members of JOA who without quoting the name of the duo had accused them off irregularities at a press conference some few days back.

Pathak who termed the allegations wrong had held a press conference on Friday and held his detractors as a bunch of people who were misleading the media and the public at large just because of their vested interests. "If at all the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducts an inquiry it should not be limited to the tenders and purchases made by the JOA. The inquiry should be conducted from the very beginning when Jharkhand decided as the venue of the National Games. Can anybody justify the reasons why the budget of organising the games soared to Rs. 277 Crore in April 2007 from Rs 206 Crore in February 2005?" Pathak says.

Central leadership puts on hold Govt formation exercise

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Friday, June 26, 2009

The UPA MLAs returned home with long faces. They were anxious to form a Government in Jharkhand, but their dream was rudely smashed by the central leadership of the Congress who put a temporary halt over any such move.

Some of them—the JMM legislators—moved to Ajmer Sarif to seek the blessing of the divine for the prosperity of the State as they claimed. The UPA leaders added their voice together in their meeting with the State Congress in-charge K Keshav Rao to allow formation of a popular Government in Jharkhand.

After hearing their pleas patiently for about half an hour on Monday, Rao flew to Brazil without making any promise. The Congress high command holds a different mood altogether. But, Rao prudently did not black out their dream to form a Government, sources said.

On their arrival here they did not mix with the media instantly nor did the photojournalists, often looking for a good pose, requested them to flash victory signs, as usual. But anxiety on their face read like a political script of the coming days of Jharkhand politics.

Claiming the chances to form Government was bright and they have done the initial homework in their meeting with the Congress leaders these MLAs believed the matter will be resolved in the coming 10 days. If Stephen Marandi claims the Government will be formed by June 28-29, his one time Cabinet colleague Sudhir Mahto adds no colour to this dream. “The Congress seems to be evasive. But we will sit again to finally decide this matter,” Mahto said while exhaustion reeked from the air around him.

On their homecoming the State BJP added its reaction with a pinch of salt. “Laut ke buddhu ghar ko aye,” (fool have returned home) the State BJP president Raghuwar Das quipped. “Instead of cringing before the UPA leaders they should sit together for introspection for the mess they have done with Jharkhand,” Das said.

Unmindful of what BJP says; Niel Tirkey the Congress MLA and chief points man of the party state president Pradeep Balmuchu was busy collecting signatures of the UPA MLAs that will be presented to the Congress high command to claim the majority was on their side.

“So far 32 MLAs have signed for their support. From the side of the state RJD barring Annapurna Devi and Girinath Singh the remaining five MLAs too have added their support,” Tirkey said.

According to Tirkey, the State Congress has been cautiously treading in proverbial way. “Doodh Ka jala chhach bhi fook fook kar pita hai,” (once bitten twice shy). Even independent MLAs have extended their support without any pre-condition. Everybody is experimenting in Jharkhand. Let us do one more for betterment of the State,” Tirkey explained the realpolitik behind the whole exercise.

In New Delhi Balmuchu was reported to be busy in lobbying in the power corridor to support his claim for the chief ministership. On Monday night he met the senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand RK Anand, the sources in the Congress said. “If there is a remote chance of the formation of government, he (Anand) could be instrumental in securing support of the JMM MLAs in the favour of Balmuchu.

In Jharkhand Tirkey has been carrying the flag of Balmuchu claiming the party should not change its policy of a tribal as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand.Within the Congress too many conflicting voices damned this exercise.

Rain welcomes rath yatra devotees in capital

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Thursday, June 25, 2009

Thousands of devotees participated in the Jagannathpur Rath Yatra and pulled the chariot of the divine trio of Lord Jagannath and his brother Balaram and sister Subhadra from the Main Temple to Mausibari on Wednesday afternoon. It is a symbolic travel to their aunt’s house.

Hundreds of devotees clad in dhoti took part in elaborate rituals and sat on the front of 30-feet-tall chariot and chanted mantras from Vishnulakshnacharna to invoke the divine power. As the main priest announced the auspicious moment to roll the chariot of Lord; thousands of devotees vied with each other to pull the rath to get the blessings of the divine.

The procession continued for the next one hour marked by the showering of petals of flowers, the booming drumbeats, and, off course; the thunder shower which drenched the devotees with rain.“Listen devotees; God has listened to our prayer and it is raining now like every year,” the main priest of the temple announced while sitting on the chariot. The moment it started raining, hydra like thousands of hands were raised towards the sky each acclaiming the miracle of God.

“As far as my frail memory is concerned this festival never missed spell of rain. Everybody was apprehensive this time but I always believed that God will bless us with rain,” Sumintra Devi a 95 year old devotee said.

People from different parts of the State had poured in to mark the religious occasion and the sprawling ground adjacent to the main temple in Dhurwa was dotted with the devotees. If Mundas were carrying flags; one could not miss Oraons carrying cymbals in their hand.

There was no division of caste and community and age. All became a part of that journey of the great divine. If Akthar Jamal did not know what priests were chanting in chaste Sanskrit he had an easy mantra to add into this: Jai Ho.

The fair ground sported a festive air with local tribals swaying to the beats of folk songs, accompanied by traditional instruments like the flute, mandar and the nagara. It turned into a sea of colourful dresses and umbrellas by afternoon.

The actual juggernaut—pulling the lord’s chariot by human hands—was quite colourful and full of piousness. Young, old and even children did not want to miss an occasion to join this privy league of devotees who were pulling the chariot of the gods to their aunt’s house.

Initially it seemed God refused to move. The Chariot remained in standstill for a couple of minutes despite devotees using their muscle power in attempting to drag it forward. “God is just testing our patience and devotion,” the priest Jagdish Mohanti announced. It was enough to fill the devotees with religious verve: Bhagwan Jagannath ki jai. The chariot rolled out slowly with a mild creak.

It is not the rath yatra of Puri with all its pomp and show and mysticism that attracts the foreigners. Helped by a guide Philip Kalra, Elizabeth Smith and Mirium, all of them British nationals; were the curious spectators trying to capture each Kodak moment. “I have seen rath festival of Puri also but here it is superb,” Kalra said.

As the rath reached Mausiwari priests performed rituals for half an hour. But somewhere religiosity took a back seat. If old women jostled to get darshnam of the Lord, for some of the young ladies of the same family it was a picnic moment. Getting a design of mehendi on their hand and some bargained for trinkets and wares from the hundreds of stalls that had been set up.Innocent wide-eyed children rushed for the joyrides but youngsters thronged at cold drink stalls in an attempt to beat the heat. A couple of others had a good cheer with their friends with glasses of rice beer.

UPA MLAs wait for nod to form Govt

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Tuesday, June 23, 2009

In a rare show of unity, the MLAs of Jharkhand UPA and independents, reached New Delhi on Monday to urge top Congress leaders to pave way for the formation of government in the State.

However, AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi does not seem to be in this favour.The State UPA leaders have taken the Rajya Sabha election results as an indication of UPA's unity and a mandate to form Government in the State.

Rahul Gandhi finds no immediate benefit in this exercise. "He is more focused upon the organisational overhauling of Jharkhand Congress rather than forming a Government with such shaky arguments," a senior party leader told on telephone from New Delhi.

The central high command of the UPA has asked Jharkhand Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu to present a roadmap of how forming an alliance Government in Jharkhand would help the party in the forthcoming Assembly elections. While two of the front runners for the post of Chief Minister —Balmuchu and Assembly Speaker Alamgir Alam — have been camping in New Delhi, the UPA legislators moved to New Delhi on Monday to push for the same.

The newly elected Rajya Sabha MPs from Jharkhand — Hemant Soren of the JMM and Dhiraj Kumar Sahu of the Congress — reached New Delhi on Monday. Before leaving for New Delhi, Soren made a courtesy visit to Governor Syed Sibtey Razi.Talking to the media, Soren expressed hope that the Government will soon be formed in the State and both the Congress and JMM leaders will resolve the leadership issue.

But the resolution passed by the working committee of the State RJD demanding Assembly election has created a tantalising obstacle for the same. So far, the UPA MLAs could not meet any of the central Congress leaders, including Ahmed Patel, the political advisor to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Meanwhile, Rao is also expected to go Brazil this month and the MLAs camping here will hardly find their audience on an urgent basis. "We are trying to break the ice. It will take at least 10 days to reach the final conclusion whether to form Government or not," a Congress MLA camping in New Delhi told The Pioneer.

Everybody in the UPA is eagerly waiting for Sonia Gandhi to return from her foreign trip within two days to deliberate on the vexed issue.

UPA considers RS poll win as mandate to form State Govt

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Monday, June 22, 2009

The UPA allies in the Jharkhand, which has been put under the President’s rule, had a last laugh after the results of the Rajya Sabha elections came out.

It has tempted them to interpret it as a mandate to form Government.With this robust logic the leaders of the State Congress, the JMM and independent MLAs rushed to the New Delhi, on Sunday, to convince the UPA chairperson—Sonia Gandhi—to allow the formation of the State Government.

“There seems to be a positive signal from the party high command and the chances to form the Government have become brighter, I think,” Congress legislator Sukhdeo Bhagat said gleefully. The JMM which till a week back made several assertions as the sole claimant for the post of the chief ministership laid down its claim even without a pout. “Kaun banega mukhya Mantri ye mundda nahi hai. ‘Janhit (people welfare) ke liye ek sarkar honi chahiye, hum log is ka prayatna kar rahe hai,” Mathura Mahto the chief whip of the party termed this essential for Jan-hit.

But Mahto could not answer that how come the JMM relinquished its claim over the CM post and why the party chief; Shibu Soren; accepted tutelage under the Congress. Soren held a close door meeting with few of the party legislators at his residence this afternoon.

The well-placed sources in the party said that Soren discussed the role and claim of his party if the government was formed in Jharkhand. “He is still undecided and unsure about the role of the JMM and the political space that the party will gain at a time when a Government will be formed in Jharkhand,” a senior party leader said wryly.

Even in the meeting a section of the leaders insisted the party should not dump its claim so easily if the Congress has come so openly to claim for the post of the Chief Minister. But there is something rotting in the JMM and the party insiders confirmed the foul smell in the close confine. There are so many heads in the JMM who want to wear the crown—Sudhir Mahto, Champai Soren, Nalin Soren, Dulal Bhuiya and many others.Now, Shibu Soren is not the contender for that post after the resigned from Jamatra Assembly constituency.

But Soren will hardly like that some body within the JMM should come out of the political kindergarten to become the chief minister and grow to his stature. Even if the JMM insists for its nominee; disgruntlement will tumble out quickly. Writ of Shibu Soren no longer runs so authentically, now, in the JMM, to control such political pandemics.

The Congress mandarins derived the best part of their strategy from the internal weakness of the JMM. Last time also the JMM fold could stand united over the name of Champai Soren for the post of the CM after Shibu Soren resigned from this post in the month of January. The Congress after exhausting the endurance of Shibu Soren and his party MLAs has now starting moving to install its own man as the head of the Government.

Within the Congress the state party president Pradeep Balmuchu and the Assembly speaker Alamgir Alam have started canvassing for the support of their candidature among the central leadership of the Congress.Sources close to Alam claimed that their leader will have the support of the political advisor of Sonia Gandhi.

More or less seven RJD legislators will also lend their support to Alam. Balmuchu will counter-balance it with the support of the independent MLAs. Both the claimants moved to New Delhi to initiate the process of the formation of the State Government.

For many a JMM MLAs a new government will provide a life line to their politics in the coming days. The JMM happily provided turf to the Congress and promised it will not complain.