Congress simmers with elevation of Sao as minister

Congress simmers with elevation of Sao as minister

VIJAY DEO JHA

Ranchi: August 24: ‘Poor’ spokespersons and leaders of state Congress are wondering how to craft arguments to justify central leadership’s wisdom behind selecting politically discredited and legally tainted face; Yogendra Sao, as minister: the decision which state leaders privately termed a ‘classic case of suicide’.

Barkagaon MLA, Sao, remained a surprised entry into the Hemant Soren led JMM-Congress-RJD coalition government after three from the Congress were sworn-in as minister at Raj Bhavan this afternoon. Only Sao and his political god father, Subodh Kant Sahay, were smiling today.

But rest of the party remained an angry lot. But they can hardly muster courage of rebellion or even miffed criticism of leadership’s decision.

State Congress office at Shradhanand Road, the bereft, though historic, state headquarters of the party resounded with the severity of decision, leaders looked desperately for explanations they could not afford to air publicly.

“In short our leadership has done just what our political adversaries wished us to. Nomination of Sao has raised spectre of corruption and criminality. You promised clean face but you foisted a man who is neck deep into accusations ranging from unruly public activities to bigger crime like extortion and 2010 Rajya Sabha cash-for-vote case. An undeserving fellow as minister and we will keep defending it a right choice. You don’t know when will be he sentenced,” as one disgruntled Congressman, feeling vicariously vindicated said.  

Sao an avid fan of superstar Amitabh Bacchan reflects upon his hairstyle. But he seemingly picked anti-hero and angry man traits of superstar in Deewar (1975): a man of rough edge, violent and impatient who can slap anybody at slightest provocation.

“Don’t remember how many criminal cases are pending against him besides publicly slapping NTPC deputy general manager R.K. Singh in 2010 and beating Barkagaon BDO Rajballabh Singh black and blue in 2011. In both the cases investigations have been completed and charges were found true. A third case of extortion is on the trial stage. There are odd numbers of cases under Forest Act against him. To us he was a rash man,” a senior state government official who once served in Hazaribagh said seeking anonymity.

Sao had faced public criticism for thrashing the BDO but his brass act on this matter continued even during assembly session, remembers one of the Congress MLA. “During the session he had come with horrendously morphed photograph of BDO Singh in a compromising position with a woman that even a blind could have identified as false and fabricated. Speaker had objected his unsavoury act. I wish he improves.” 

But the biggest worry for state leadership is that Sao’s appointment will be seen as Congress ignoring its public pledge to avoid tainted face in the ministry.  In 2010, Sao and other five JMM, BJP and Congress MLAs were caught on camera seeking money for their votes in the Rajya Sabha case. Earlier, State Vigilance Bureau investigated the case. Later Jharkhand High Court directed a CBI probe. The agency raided MLA’s premise this year.

 

In 2011, Sao was arrested for allegedly seeking extortion from local business man and owner of Ramgarh Sponge and Iron factory. He remained in jail for several months while the co-accused Manoj Gupta who learnt to be minister’s close associate is still languishing in jail after Supreme Court rejected his bail petition.

On the choice, state Congress president Sukhdeo Bhagat came with tailor made statement. “Central leadership must have carefully considered every aspect.” Party insiders confided Bhagat is none to please with the decision.

In not shifting any blame and pinning all ignominy onto lapel of central leadership’s, Bhagat may have done Congress housekeeping rules proud, but once the hurly-burly in Ranchi is done, there will be questions to answer as one senior Congressman told The Telegraph today.

Sao’s promotion came at the cost of Jamshedpur (West) MLA Banna Gupta belonging to Vaishya category, relatively a modest and clean face. Sources in the Congress admitted two senior state leaders; former president Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu and Subodh Kant Sahay had lobbied for Sao for their own political interests. “You can see how political rivals like Balmuchu and Sahay can work closely at a time. Central leadership wanted a Vaishya in the ministry. Sao is Sahay’s trusted and Balmuchu was opposed to Gupta. Luck smiled on Sao. Pata nahi nirnay lete waqt Delhi ke aankh par patti pari thi kya, the leader said.

Central leadership was convinced that Teli caste is mobilizing as a political force with significance presence in a good number of assembly constituencies. Sao belonging to Teli will be able to tap his caste chunk. Sao refutes allegations against him as false and fabricated. “Jhooth ka pulinda hai These are corporate conspiracies because I have been fighting for displaced and poor,” he said.

But a senior party spokesperson kidded. “Right now we have nothing to say. But we will soon do a proper research to reply as to how Sao as minister could be beneficial for Jharkhand and the party.”