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| JMM’s Jai Prakash Bhai Patel and RJD’s Suresh Paswan (above), among the six MLAs to be sworn in as ministers, savour the moment at MLA Hostel at the state Assembly in Ranchi on Saturday. (Prashant Mitra) |
Ranchi, Aug. 3: A 30-year-old rookie, who apparently forced his father-in-law to step aside, was the surprise inclusion in the JMM’s list of ministers who will be sworn in tomorrow by governor Syed Ahmed.
In all, the Hemant Soren-led coalition government submitted a list of six MLAs to Raj Bhavan this afternoon: one Congress, one RJD and four JMM among whom Jay Prakash Bhai Patel, son-in-law of Mathura Prasad Mahto, pulled off the impossible.
The 1982 born Mandu MLA will be the youngest minister in any government in the state’s 13-year history.
Others who will be sworn in at Raj Bhavan at 11am are Champai Soren (Seraikela), Hazi Hussain Ansari (Madhupur) and Simon Marandi (Littipara) of the JMM, Gitashree Oraon (Sisai) of the Congress and Suresh Paswan (Deoghar) of the RJD.
Last night, sources in the JMM confided, Patel — son of late Teklal Mahto — adopted a “come what may” approach and vowed not to settle for anything less than a ministerial berth. The party then left it to the family to sort it out.
Father-in-law Mathura Mahto was told in no uncertain terms that two from one family could not be accommodated in the cabinet.
“Mathuraji ko kursi dahej me dena pada. Ek pariwar se do log mantri nahi ho sakte. Pichli baar Arjun Munda ki sarkar me woh apne samdhi ka patta gol kar mantri bane. Is bar damad ne badla le liya. (Mathuraji was forced to gift the post as dowry. Two from the same family can’t be accommodated… In the previous Arjun Munda government, he could become a minister after spoiling the chances of hissamdhi. The son-in-law settled score this time),” a senior JMM leader quipped.
Married to Lalita, younger daughter of Mathura, Patel’s first brush with electoral politics was in the 2011 Mandu Assembly by-election after the seat became vacant on the death of his father Teklal.
Asked about his son-in-law, Mathura was honest enough.
“Father-in-law or son-in-law as minister makes no difference. After all, ministry is with the family. Every parent wants his children to progress. Me too. Well, he wanted to be minister. Now, he has the chance to perform. I wish him well.”
As for the others, JMM seems to have gone by seniority. Simon Marandi was chosen over two other claimants, Hemlal Murmu and Lobin Hembrom.
“I am a founder member of the party. I deserve a berth,” said Marandi, whose home was raided by the CBI twice after he was named accused in the 2010 Rajya Sabha horse trading case.
Both Champai and Hazi Hussain were ministers in the previous Arjun Munda-led coalition government.
The state Congress is, however, baffled at the party high command’s decision to allow only one MLA — Geeetashree — to be sworn in, while holding back names for three other ministerial slots that are with the party.
“We are unnecessarily becoming a laughing stock. Earlier, such indecision was seen in the JMM. It should be made clear whether the leadership is looking for a clean face or has some other reason behind it (delay),” commented a senior Congress leader.
Sources claimed the party will fill the remaining slots around August 10 when the third and final cabinet expansion is likely to take place.
Among the names doing the rounds are Mannan Mallik and Sarfaraz Ahmed, but both face criminal or corruption charges. The Congress will also have to deal with Independent MLA Bandhu Tirkey who is keen to join the party and seal a place in the ministry.
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