Six takes oath as minister

VIJAY DEO JHA

Ranchi; August 4: The second cabinet expansion of the Hemant Soren government this morning at Raj Bhavan, with six ministers sworn in by Governor Syed Ahmed, was marked by glaring absenteeism of probable hopefuls whom today’s expansion left high and dry or those doubtful about their chance in third and final expansion of the cabinet likely anytime after August 10.

Only the initiated and the interested came.

None among JMM’s front runner for ministerial posts; Hemlal Murmu, Lobin Hembrom, Polush Surin were seen in the exclusive gallery of politicians. That was the case with a couple of leaders from the Congress like Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mannan Mallik, Chandrasekhar Dubey and KN Tripathi who said personal reasons behind their non-attendance.

Independent MLA and Congress’ new found friend, Bandhu Tirkey, who is jostling for ministerial post from Congress quota decided to stay-off the ceremony along with MLA friend Chamra Linda. As one prominent absentee later remarked: “Attending such ceremony twice and thrice is not necessary when your presence is not required…this was only a continuation of what they couldn’t finish at one go.”

Hemlal Murmu was rhythmical yet forthcoming. “Party ka nirnay sarvopari. Sahi samay par sahi baat,” he said. Sarfaraz Ahmed will throw an iftar party in his constituency. Tripathi is in Delhi on personal visit. Mallik is in Dhanbad observing Ramadan. Chandrasekhar Dubey today is learnt to have threatened state leadership imminent revolt if the party does okay his name for third expansion.

The oath taking formalities remained too short even for those who this event was arranged — close to one and half minute of first personal singular monosyllabic lead-ins from Governor— “main” and then “main” again —repeated 12 times over. Six took oath today: Gitashree Oraon (Congress), Suresh Paswan (RJD), Jay Prakash Bhai Patel, Simon Marandi, Champai Soren and Hazi Hussain Ansari.

Around 10.55 Governor, Syed Ahmed, occupied the seat. He wisely decided to administer them oath en-mass rather than summoning them one by one. Gitashree Oraon with her impressive and booming voice was dominating others as thought they taking part in some reading competitions. Champai and Jay Prakash Bhai Patel were rather muttering and Simon Marandi was in no hurry to finish the text along with them. He took extra half minute to finish.

Happy to be minister Simon later on provided valid reasons. “Jab oath hi lena hai to harbari kya hai. Dekhoji jaldi kaam shaitan ka hota hai.” But in the process Simon had afforded the occasion a rare relief from routine.

None seemed more pleased than the oversized contingent of Jay Prakash Bhai from Mandu and Hazaribagh. Around 30 of his relatives turned out at Raj Bhavan as special invitees. Rest were not far behind who had carted their supporters in SUVs. Jay Prakash Bhai Patel scored a first today as youngest minister in any of the state governments in Jharkhand; Patel the younger son of former JMM leader Teklal Mahato wasn’t permitting anyone to leave without that uniqueness underlined.

For Gitashree, it seemed like a restart of her family tradition in politics after her father and late Congress stalwart Kartik Oraon. “From housewife to minister is never expected this thing to happen.”

Soon after the oath senior JMM and Congress leaders huddled in a close door meeting to finalize portfolios including Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Congress chief Sukhdeo Bhagat, CLP leader and minister Rajendra Prasad Singh.

The oath ceremony gave ample hints to JMM and Congress bosses about seething unrest in the party. “Three more ministers from Congress quota are to take oath. It will be declared very soon. The party takes into account all factors,” Bhagat said.