Hemant completes hundred days

Hemant completes hundred days

VIJAY DEO JHA

Ranchi

October 20: Hemant Soren has competed 100 days as Chief Minister of JMM led Congress-RJD coalition government and the criticism and conflict have begun to echo around: bureaucratic claptrap, no sincere approach to fix priorities and implement projects, truancy of pledge and myriad others.

He is tensed because he is left with less time to perform and he is aware that his performance will be key to the survival of his party JMM and the UPA alliance in the 2014 general elections. Hemant isn’t in denial of any of that. But he gets exasperated even over some normal prods like whether he has anything to polish his CV with achievement in the last 100 days.

“I am not magician PC Sarkar. Please have patience you will see the result in the coming days.” He started with a contrived, and rather unedifying, flourish of his hand. It was a gesture that belonged more to repertoire of a rookie magician who is nervously charming the audience; less to a head of state.

But equally, he isn’t prepared to be troubled or to shoulder entire responsibility if the government has yet not. “Are you talking about my 100 days as CM or 100 days of this government? My cabinet came into complete shape only during first week of August…and by this count my government has yet to not 100 days old. I am aware of my responsibility. Criticisms are quite natural but those who know me can tell you I don’t have laidback attitude,” he told The Telegraph in an exclusive interview at his chamber of his residence on late Friday night.

Excerpts from the conversation:

TT: Have you set priorities of your government like energy, social security, law and order, bureaucratic transparency etc or still drafting them?

Hemant Soren:  “Dekhiye yah priority jaisa sawal mujhe hamesa pareshan karta hai. Media always narrow down right questions with priority tag. The government must embrace a large vision. If you fix priority things will move in a haphazard manner. If I speak about priority people will start telling that CVM is running his own agenda. I have set focus upon every sector. You will see how things have improved.

Do you offer any timeline by which result will be visible? Who stops you from functioning?

Hemant Soren: You will know much on November 15 (foundation day of the state) and after that. I have instructed Chief Secretary of Jharkhand to roll out 17^th point programme which includes everything. Nobody stop me from acting but there are always some circumstances which I have largely overcome. I assure you that people will remember me for my good works. Many a welfare schemes have been started.

Even a section of the Congress now wants the CM to hurry up. There is too much of scrambles by some of your cabinet colleagues especially from the Congress. You had even complained about them to the Congress.

Hemant Soren: Hundred blows of goldsmith is comparable to one blow of iron-smith. I don’t respond to who says and what. I regularly consult senior Congress leaders over governance and they appreciated my effort in correcting the system. I aim to make my government public oriented. In coalition politics such scrambling by alliance partners happens. 

But the Congress says that your government is not doing anything over delegating power to elected panchayat representatives as well as over Food Security Act which are UPA’s two top election agenda.

Hemant Soren: Just today I have taken meeting to fix full proof modalities of implementation of Food Security Act in the state. Panchayat representatives will be given their rights in no less time.

A month back you said people have lost faith in bureaucracy. Was you releasing frustration or criticizing bureaucratic set-up?

Hemant Soren: it was a criticism and warning as well. I must admit that even this government is a makeshift arrangement. I am piloting a rustled train. Problem is that there is no proper sync between bureaucracy and political class. Both of them are integral to the system like oxen yoked in a plough. Unfortunately both are pulling in different direction thus ruining the field.

You had said actions will be taken against errant bureaucrats. Is there any?

Hemant Soren: “Now when I got to inaugurate any project I first spot wrongdoings and direct FIR. So far actions against 64 officials have been taken ranging from show cause to dismissal. If I continue this way I guess officials will think thousands of time to invite me.” He laughs.

But there is no punitive action against IAS and IPS who matters the most.

Hemant Soren: None will be spared if complaints found. But I am not prejudiced.    

What will be political scenario in Jharkhand in post 2014 general election especially the fate of the UPA? Do you think you will be continuing after that?

Hemant Soren: It will be a premature guessing. Let me work for another months after which I can be able to tell you about UPA’s chances.

But father (JMM chief Shibu Soren) and son Hemant Soren seem to be on different page over JMM’s seat sharing exercise with the Congress for 2014 general elections. You returned satisfied with four seats while giving 10 seats to the Congress. Your father wants seven seats not less. Who is overruling and whom?

Hemant Soren: We have a deal of 4:10 seats…there is no doubt. Our party chief only said that Congress-JMM has not decided about which party will fight which seat. It is blown out of proportion.

But Soren senior has now insisted for seven. Do you think that alliance will continue in such a situation? Congress is shaky about JMM speaking in a divergent voice.

Hemant Soren:  This alliance will work. I personally will not do anything to affect the very template.

So you have virtually succeeded your father as political heir. Can you go in the election with out magic of your father and return with handsome dividend? (This probably remained the most favoured question which he replied diplomatically)

Hemant Soren: “I can’t whether I have succeeded him or not. But Shibu Soren as party head will be supreme and so his advices and order. He will be available for election campaign. In 2009 general election and parliamentary elections he was ill and hospitalized. He fought election while in the bed. I had to take the command of the party. We increased our tally.” 

He smiled allowing you to draw references for future sake.