Common man’s leader who hates frill and tamasha

Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi  

When rest of his tribe scurry for blaring flotilla of vehicles, protocols and siren fitted pilot cars Assembly Speaker CP Singh flings a very simple notion: “I can do without it.”

“I don’t think a public representative needs all these,” except if they wish to flaunt their new acquired position as earthy God who decides the fate of the state.” Singh is probably the only politician who moves without caravan of vehicles and pilot car. Except under extreme condition he would allow a pilot car, a maximum.

When he became Assembly Speaker on January 6, 2010; he had summoned the then Ranchi SSP Praveen Kumar Singh with a request to remove wires of the siren of his official vehicle.

He has been in politics from past four decades and won from Ranchi assembly seat numbers of time just because of his popularity and people friendly image. Nothing has changed in him except he has become toothless and partially bald. “I never liked all these. I belong to them. I want to move freely.”

He holds a constitutional post of Speaker of the house and many wished him to maintain the aura of the post. Aura to them meant, Singh should not freely mix with people and avoid attending public gatherings. Singh bluntly rebuffed those suggestions saying he won’t accept such constitutional boloney.

“Kabhi kabhi bandish mahsoos karta hun jo mujhe pasand nahi, (sometimes I feel restrained which I don’t like).” If proof requires for Singh’s demolition job on such restrains he offers register of his daily itinerary. A Billu barber wants him to inaugurate his roadside hair cutting salon. A poor paanwala wants him to stop at his shop to chew paan sometimes. Youths would urge him for financial assistance to renovate library. A poor father requests him to attend marriage ceremony of his daughter.  And he obliges all. He makes it sure to offer token help to poor parents in the marriage of their daughters. “The amount could be anything,” he keeps it secret.   

A mere call of commoners requesting his attention towards issue of larger public interest or that of the highhandedness of administration and police is enough for him—fighter in Speaker out.

This winter anti-encroachment squad of Ranchi Police had thrown and thrashed a woman, poor fruit seller, near Ranchi University. Singh pitched a sit on demonstration at police station at midnight till the guilty cops and officials pleaded apology for misbehave.

Many in the administration and government grumble Singh resorting to agitation and taking on the street is not in sync with his constitutional role as Speaker. Singh returns with equal retort: “Does any provision in the Constitution exists that would stop a Speaker from discharging his duty as public representative. Why should be they targeted and removed without arrangement?”

Does Singh really feel suffocated and restrained as Speaker often losing his cool when he presides assembly session? Whenever Treasury bench and Opposition attack each other with predatory swiftness he plays peaceniks often summoning his best wits to boil down the fever. But then he strictly wants to follow Business Rule of the House. “On some moments I lose my cool over unruly behaviour when Business Rule is ignored and members put the House on ransom,” he said. But then he is knows that a Speaker is also punching bag who patiently swings both sides after each blow.

All these years, Singh remained one of the most respectable public voices who has grilled and screwed governments over public issue. Who knows Singh wishes to occupy same old seat.