From politics to petition Dumka remained the hotspot

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

Politically Dumka remained the most happening place on Friday in the wake of cabinet meeting here. Disgruntled JMM MLA Sita Soren who had raked-up the nerve of the coalition government by her anti-government noises in the past, appeared to be in perfect sync with the government and her party. The fear that Sita might sabotage the cabinet meeting and the purpose behind it (by airing her differences) proved wrong.

Sources confided about an hour long meeting of Sita with the Godda BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday evening in Deoghar to diffuse crisis and to persuade her to play rather a positive role in persuading the government for the development of Santhal Pargana division.

“Sita is the baby of media that hyped her small complains and grievances into a major political crisis. She is not of that nature as projected,” JMM MLA Sheshank Sekhar Bhokta told the Pioneer.

Nevertheless, common people remained indifferent even after the cabinet meeting was held in Dumka. “People are least excited this time as they were in 2006 when the cabinet meeting was held in Dumka. Probable reason is that Dumka and Santhal Pargana were neglected in terms of development,” RK Nirad, political analyst and editor of a Hindi newspaper observed.

But, around a dozen of political and non-political outfits had their ways to raise voices of people. Garib Das, deputy chairman of Dumka Municipality, covered around four km distance by crawling himself on the road and reached the suchana Bhavan where cabinet meeting was scheduled. His demand included giving Dumka Municipality the status of corporation, funds for the development of Dumka under urban development fund and correction of the BPL list.

Lawyers of Dumka Bar Association held a silent march and demonstration for long pending demand of the bench of Jharkhand High Court in Dumka.  The activists of Left parties held a march to demand immediate stop to the land transfer in Santhal Pargana adding that the issue of displacement must be addressed.

Jharkhand Adim Janjatiya Sangh held a rally to demand Pahariya battalion.  Gram Pradhan Sangathan, an outfit of village heads, submitted memorandum to highlight corruption in the land settlement office in Dumka and elsewhere in Santhal Pargana.  Another organization representing the interest of the Bhuyan and Ghatwal demanded scheduled caste status for them. The association of the Para teachers pressed for the regularization of their job. Though, none could meet the Chief Minister but they submitted their memorandum to the officials.

House raps government on MLA fund

Strap: Nagri protesters present paddy bouquets to MLAs

VIJAY DEO JHA

Ranchi  

Infuriated fund starved MLAs of Jharkhand assembly fired salvo at the government for not releasing money under ‘MLA Area Development Fund’ from last nine months and forced the who’s who of government to take shelter behind silence.

Agitated members even urged Speaker CP Singh to move a resolution to terminate MLA Fund if the state government was handicapped and cash strapped.

As the second half of the winter session began on Tuesday MLAs cutting across party lines charged the government for sitting upon MLA funds from last nine months. Raising the matter BJP MLA Raghuwar Das quoted the ruling of the House during Monson Session where the government was directed to remove bottleneck and ensure the release of funds. Under the scheme, each MLA has the choice to suggest to the Deputy Commissioner for, works to the tune of Rs three Crores per annum to be taken up in his/her constituency. 

Chief Minister Arjun Munda and his Deputy Hemant Soren intervened in the debate to explain the position of the government. “There may be problems with ‘MLAs Fund.’ But the government committed for financial discipline and is concerned towards financial irregularities,” Munda said. Unsatisfied over the answer members alleged the government holding partisan attitude and shielding officials. “By ignoring the ruling of the assembly the government has brought contempt on the House. Why should MLAs suffer due to officials DC, DDC and likes? The government is promoting regional imbalance,” Das said.

Outside of House an MLA of ruling coalition explained ‘regional imbalance’ should be understood in the context of ‘assembly imbalance’ as provisions have been relaxed and constraints removed for three top ministers of the government in availing MLA Area Fund.

Earlier in the house Hemant rose to intervene with mien of an arbitrator. “Ham Sangharsh nahi samadhan ki disha me badhen, let us take the path of solution then confrontation,” Hemant urged. But before he began speaker snubbed him silence.  “You must be feeling very happy in protecting your DCs and DDCs. They won’t be helpful for you. Minister please mind you will not remain on this post till life,” Singh said.  Hemant could not marshal courage to continue in the face of mounted assault; none from the treasury, and, even JMM MLAs appeared harsh on him.

Leader of Opposition Rajendra Singh even suggested the House and Speaker to move resolution to do away with MLA Area Fund if government can’t provide it. “I request the Chair not to give further ruling in this matter because these are not taken seriously,” he said.

But the first half of the session and question hour were gutted in the Nagari land row as the House was adjourned before to start. Quite surprisingly, the Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) remained which had stalled the House on previous day over Panem issue, did not rake-up it on Tuesday.

JVM and other Opposition demanded special debate over Nagari land row. The demand was fiercely opposed by the treasury bench which alleged Opposition (JVM particularly) for taking the House on ransom. Before the session around 50 farmers of Nagari and agitators converged on assembly’s outer premise. They handed over bouquets made of paddy to MLAs and requested them to persuade the government to withdraw from 227 acres of arable land where three elite academic institutions are proposed. Despite adjournment MLAs continued pitched battle over Nagari and Panem.

The house symbolically did a good job of passing the Jharkhand Advocate Welfare Fund Act to help practicing lawyer with Rs. 50000 of financial assistance for treatment of critical disease. 

Munda concludes his trips, Hemant wonders how to begin

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

There is a strong central view in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) that Chief Minister Arjun Munda is subtly surveying and strengthening political and electoral prospect of his party—the BJP— by undertaking frequent tours across the State.

JMM insiders confessed the party bosses have reasons to remorse since their wake-up calls arrived quite late because by this Munda has already completed more than six legs of tours of districts in last one year. Munda on Wednesday returned Ranchi after completing four days of Johar Yatra hinting further trips in making. 

JMM is an alliance partner in Munda led BJP-JMM-AJSU- Janta Dal (United) and has four ministers including Hemant Soren who is deputy Chief Minister.

The fear in the JMM has made considerable delay in preparing grounds for upcoming elections and Munda has outshined the JMM in this regard. The JMM insiders accepted that Munda through such trips has certainly improved his party on political and electoral index which ultimately will barricade the prospect of the JMM. JMM chief Shibu Soren, insiders said, roughly prodded Hemant to come out of cozy conform of his plush office and ministerial bungalow in Ranchi and undertake similar tours and reviews and assert his authority as deputy CM. In the last couple of days Hemant’s office remained busy in chalking out detailed itinerary of official trip to Dhanbad and adjoining districts where he will review government projects.

“Baap-bete ke beech ka mamla hai, (This is between father and son,)” a top JMM leader said adding: “But they (Sorens) have realized and learnt quite late to encash the performance of government for the party…while Mundaji played masterstrokes he (Hemant) was collecting the ball on the fence” a close Soren aide put it.

 Nevertheless, Munda deliberately banished party flags at any such public programmes during trips. He kept it a mixture of coalition conglomerate and even inviting Opposition. He never took sloe credit of what so ever the success coalition government has achieved so far, but he carried a larger sense of having put his best efforts and visions to bring best for the people out of government’s kitty. Aware of the fact running a coalition government is a risky and uncertain enterprise Munda made best use of these occasions to tone-up party organization to secure an incremental constituency.

Trouble has just erupted on the coalition front and surface bonhomie between coalition allies have turned into shadow boxing. Senior Soren has been signalling to the BJP leadership to hand over CM’s post to the JMM after January next year. Munda will respond JMM’s call in the right time, as he told the media. Munda may not have opportunity to decide his next trip but Hemant must be wondering how to begin. 

Soren asks farmers to plough leaves deep furrow

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI 

JMM chief Shibu Soren asked villagers to plough their field during meeting of the agitators at Nagri leaving a deep furrow on the forehead of many in the government. Soren, on Sunday, was addressing a meeting of agitators who are opposed to establishment of IIM, IIIT and Law University on 227 acres of land at Nagri. 

Soren made best use of podium moment to assure his core constituents that he would oppose any decision of the government if it is subversive to the interest of tribal and farmers.

“Go and plough your field. I have always spoken against the government even I happen to be the part of the government. Land belongs to farmers. Government can’t take their land away. Government taking their land is unjust.” Soren said this to a gathering.

Soren spoke around 10 minutes; but did not talk much about the issue except extending support to their cause. But he made loud and clear to his BJP counterpart in the coalition government that either he or his party can’t risk becoming the party of such decision. 

A week back, a delegation of agitators had visited Soren and sought his support for farmers from the public forum. Soren agreed to attend their meeting which was scheduled on Sunday. Despite of heavy rain thousands came to attend public hearing.

“He has supported us. We hope he will pressurize the government to withdraw decision to establish institutions here. Our land will be returned” Soren had barely left the dais when the announcement was made.

But sources in the government have their own sets of concern that Soren only helped to turn more conflicting. “Five men committee has already been formed which is exploring ways to short out this issue. Let the negotiation to take place first. Addressing a public gathering and making such statement so loud and clear will create further deadlock…after all he happens to be the chairman of State Coordination Committee. What he utters will be considered the policy of the government,” top sources in the government said.

Five men committee headed by JMM leader and Land Revenue Minister Mathura Mahto is likely to convene meeting with villagers and their representatives on Monday.

“We have called them for a meeting. We will listen to their points and their demand. Farmers should be given justice,” Mahto told The Pioneer over telephone. 

“What Soren announced can’t be said as reflection of the mind of the government. But the way JMM leaders in the government are speaking it seems that they putting blame on to the BJP for the crisis. Any public statement of this kind reflects poorly upon the government,” a BJP minister of coalition government headed by Chief Minister Arjun Munda said.

Minister argued that the government will take all aspects — humane and legal before taking any decision. “But this is not the way. You (Soren) are grilling your government where you are a partner,” minister said.

But the JMM insisted that Soren being a mass leader can’t be confined to the nitty gritty of the governance. “Unka dil janta me basta hai sarkar me nahi wah janta kee baat karte hain (his heart lies in the people not in the government, he talks about the people,)” JMM MLA Shashank Sekhar Bhokta said.   

After controversy flared into flame the BJP too appears jittery about venturing out too far alone. The BJP has already faced political consequences during anti-encroachment drive last year when the JMM had shrugged off from taking responsibility of the drive. It cost the BJP in Jamshedpur parliamentary election and elsewhere.

Sr Dhoni roped in for Hatia poll campaigns  

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

At least on two occasions — when summer is on its peak and when elections are announced — Narendra Singh Dhoni, elder brother of team India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni turns busy.

During summers he inaugurates drinking water kiosks at different places in Ranchi to help public and he does not miss to invite media to showcase his philanthropy. He takes on the job of a plumber, often repairing water taps. He gets busy when there is election as he is invited by political parties or candidates for campaigning. This summer, Narendra has double assignments as the by election of Hatia assembly has been announced.

Narendra has been roped in by the AJSU Party to campaign for the party candidate Naveen Jaisawal. Narendra inaugurated election of office of the AJSU Party at Doranda on Friday. “AJSU Party represents dream of vibrant Jharkhand. It is the party of young people,” Narendra said during the inauguration.

“Among candidates in this by-election I have found Naveen is true to the trust of the people. It is time for us to show trust in him,’ Narendra has fulsome praise for Naveen. Leaders of the AJSU Party were happy not just because a couple of the BJP workers and ward level leaders joined the AJSU Party fold, it was happy also because of the reason that Narendra has joined them.

Younger brother Dhoni is a close friend of AJSU Party chief Sudesh Kumar Mahto. “If cricket family of Jharkhand makes an appeal for the party it will at least compel youths to think,” Deepak Thakur, an AJSU Party worker told it convincingly.

Politics is not a new enterprise for Narendra, though, every time he got a bad taste in his mouth. During 2009 parliamentary elections Narendra had joined the BJP in the presence of the party president Raghuwar Das. Narendra had taken primary membership of the party along with 11 others. He had campaigned for the BJP. Though, he was nowhere responsible for the defeat of the BJP candidate Ramtahal Chaudhary, but he was not a vote catcher even in his locality. “He had delivered a dud. Funnily, many in the party believed that he will be successful in wooing voters,” a senior BJP leader said.

The BJP has no idea whether Narendra hold primary membership of the party or have resigned. “We have no idea about this. He has obsession for politics. Politics is something that you learn over the years. Politics is something that comes as inheritance. Being the brother of a celebrity is no guarantee of success in politics. Mahendra Singh Dhoni can have an impact on voters. But being the elder brother of Dhoni will not work,” BJP leader Kamal Khan said.   

While atmosphere has surcharged in Hatia, weathermen have predicted no respite from scotching heat. Many are waiting Narendra to find time for philanthropic act of starting drinking water kiosks out of busy schedule in politics.

Once an actor always an actor!

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

Going by their histrionics and full-throated baritones ringing out within and outside the state Assembly it seems that the long-buried actors within Samresh Singh and Satyanand Jha ‘Batul’ often dominate their political persona.

Picture this: During the ongoing monsoon session this JVM legislator tore his kurta apart, rushed to the well and was about to unfold his dhoti when House requested him not to blush female legislators. “Jatra party. Eh acting karta hai, (Jatra party. Doing acting),” no plaudits heaped upon Singh’s theatrics.

At the age of 71, when many of his party leaders expect an statesmanlike bahaviour from him, he would chide in a manner, “shut-up you fools just listen and watch me.”

Singh won’t mind jumping on reporter’s table during debate if he has some points to say. Table turns into a stage of his solo theatrical performance where he delivers passionate and angry dialogues, unintentionally mimicking great Bengali film actor Uttam Kumar and Hindi film legendry Prtiviraj Kapoor. Last year he had offered this show. This political heavyweight (86kg) does not stay on table for longer time: either table can’t sustain the weight of his rampage or he can’t sustain his own weight.

“He was part of Bengal’s famous jatra party (a theatrical troupe) during 60s. He often tore cloths to impress his heroine and audiences on the stage,” one of his close aides said. Sudhamoi Chatterjee, a male actor who played the role of his heroine in most of his plays, is not alive to narrate those Kurta tearing moments.

Political Singh continued it even gaining notoriety for pulling others’ Dhoti too.  It is tough to suggest how many Kurta he has sacrificed for public cause, so far.

He resorted to Kurta tearing act in 1975. The then station in-charge of Chas police station, Tarkeswarnath Tiwari, had put him in police lock up during an agitation along with Badal Majumdar and Pawan Agrawal. In lock-up he tore his Kurta and dashed his head against wall. That year, he had performed it in full public glare in Jamshedpur to support the cause of 86 unauthorized bustees. In 1980 he did it to protest against the then Bokaro ASP Manjari Jaruhar (known as Hunter Wali) as she thrashed his political workers Akhilesh Mahto.

“I tear Kurta when I am angry. But actors are those who pretend to serve public,” Singh takes a jibe on his opposition.  He doesn’t reply as to why he did a near cheerharan of the then Union Steel Minister, Biju Patnayak in 1986, by pulling Patnayak’s dhoti during a public function. “Politics me yah sab chalta hai. Wo bhi ek jamana thaa,” Singh said.

That was a time when he was considered an actor at par with famous Jatra actors like Swapan Kumar, Ajitesh Bandophadyya and Rakhal Singh. A great fan of Uttam Kumar he moved to Bombay and even had screening test with Nirupa Roy. The great dream dashed. He turned into politics but passion continued.

Batul must be a keen watcher to Singh’s theatrics. He happened to be Jatra actor playing role of Lord Ram and a lead actor of Vishwamitra-Menaka act. This modern day Vishwamitra finds tough to deny he having any relation with Soni Devi who claims to be his wife and father of her son. Even House awaits Batul for some comic as well as dramatic moments with his unique dialogue delivery having mannerism and pitch of Jatra while rebutting Opposition’s charges.

It happened rarely happened when Batul would have subdued in silence as on Wednesday when Congress’ Sarfaraz Ahmed read out an Urdu couplet for him: “Jindgi me kuch aisa Karen kadardan, ke jis gali se guzre bacche kahne abba jaan.  Singh rips his Kurta which Batul doesn’t, is the only difference.

Monday mayhem unspool security and intelligence riddle 

Maoists used forces’ walkie-talkie to keep track

Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi

The Latehar slaughter has exposed the many faultlines that riddles the government’s offensive against Maoists in a single stunning knock.

The most significant of them is perhaps the widely suspected fact which police establishment denies. It is the strategic movement of forces, which was probably leaked or Maoists had prior access. The post-mayhem analysis of lapses and lacunae during and before operation indicates Maoists were well prepared.

Forces just ventured into a trap and became easy meat for a Maoist contingent nearly 300-strong occupying high vintage points with war weapons like Light Machine Guns. It couldn’t be that nobody in the Amuatiker locality knew of the detailed arrangements for the mass murder. It is something indicating poor ground intelligence resulting in to the killing of 10 CPRF and one Jharkhand Jaguar personnel and three civilians.

The pattern of trap and killing was distinctly close to 2010 Sukma episode of the Chhattisgarh where 76 CRPF personnel were butchered. Security bosses analyzing episodes with the help of recorded intra-group-communications security forces that day — January 7, they realized Maoists had intercepted forces’ communication line. Maoists had seized a walkie-talkie from a dead jawan.

“We lost one walkie-talkie but not during operation. Maoists were not able to track our movement,” IG (Operations) SN Pradhan said.

A top official confided when forces were communicating among themselves over walkie-talkie about their missing colleagues after attack; the audio records had background noises suggesting Maoists coordinating and repositioning their armed groups to chase forces.

“Charlie hamare 17 log missing hain (Charlie our 17 people are missing),” forces heard communicating while informing about their move in certain direction.

“Force tumhare taraf jaa raha hai udhar se ghero…gazar muli ki tarah kaat denge (Forces are moving towards you. Trap them from that side…we shall butcher them),” a Maoist directed the striking group. It has a close resemblance with the Sukma case where forces missed one of their walkie-talkies, during Long Range Operation, even without noticing the loss. Maoists lay their hands on the set and tracked and trapped forces a couple of days later.

A top Jharkhand police officer admitted as much to the Pioneer, affirming that intelligence was quite poor. “It is resulted due to poor ground intelligence of police, CRPF, IB and others. What we get is often incorrect and too little. Latehar is a case of double cross. Forces acted and marched in haste.”

But Pradhan contradicted it. “We had information about presence of Maoists in the hillock area. We were caught at the entry point,” he said. But security forces had inputs about only 40 to 50 whereas Maoists were 300 in number. “Using LMG itself indicates plan for a bigger action because LMG is known for long and lethal strike. It makes no sense frontline boys were sent without bullet proof jackets,” a security expert said.

Pradhan though pleaded not enough bullet proof jackets were available. But Jharkhand DGP GS Rath added difficult terrain and bad weather as another reason that multiplied the tragedy. Rath displayed the mood that scores will be settled. Most of the Latehar’s forest is a great unknown wilderness that has now turned into Maoists’ de facto headquarters after being flushed out from Saranda. The problem is that forces are better monitored by Maoists than the other way round. Maoists are insiders in more ways than one; the government and forces is the outsider.

Celebrate President’s Rule as political festival else find answer

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

Jharkhand under President’s Rule, the excitement has expired from the news. It was a newsy day, though, for byte-hungry media and political class scratching each other’s back to feed their readers and constituents, respectively. 12 years, eight Chief Ministers and President’s Rule thrice in a quick succession, the state doesn’t seem to be making on future. 

A senior State Congress politician had a sharp and sardonic reaction: “Happy President’s Rule. Greet or gnash…but it has become a habit now. Alas, nobody is serious that Jharkhand has become a basket case of India.” 

It was in fact a deliberate pun on political class in Jharkhand which is known for bringing more instability and opportunistic change of consorts. Almost all the governments collapsed either due to shaky numerical or cahoots of independents bringing it down. None possessed the required figure of 42 for majority in an assembly of 82. When the Arjun Munda led coalition government collapsed after the JMM withdrew its support, the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar observed that the number of seats ought to be increased by 150 to ensure political stability.

In 2006, Jharkhand State Assembly had passed a resolution to increase the number of assembly seats by 150. A committee was formed that took no further initiative.

“As per Constitution number of assembly and parliamentary seats can’t be increased till 2025. Wait for another 12 years or find some way if you are serious” Chatra MP Indersingh Namdhari, said.

Namdhari advocated fresh elections. “If people have tendency of handing over fractured mandate political parties should force them to face another election as happened in Bihar in 2005 assembly election,” he said.

Namdhari was critical about national parties specially the BJP whose numerical strength has drastically fallen. “National parties are balancing factors. The BJP has been fighting shy over this issue. Its number has reduced from 36 to 18 and God knows the next election will reduce it in single digit entity,” he said.

The way national parties have lost ground it will only allow regional players — small or dominant-and independent taking the ground, Namdhari observed. 

Along with Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand were formed having 90 and 68 as assembly strength respectively. Goa has even lesser number of seats. But none witnessed either fractured mandate or frequent fall of government.

“Political class of Jharkhand lacks mindset and manner of governance. Such situations can’t be avoided till money and personal gains decide on your political decision,” BJP Rajya Sabha MP Prabhat Jha said.

Congress leader Radha Krishna Kishore is too of the view that political parties should press for delimitation. But he is not sure whether it will work.

“Politics and electoral result in Bihar has a uniform pattern which is missing in Jharkhand. Palamu, the core Hindi heartland of Jharkhand bears influence of Bihar more or less. The Koylanchal belt is an urban mix having more mature political pattern. Santhal Pargana has its set of political concerns where voting pattern is guided by sentiment. Bad thing is that there is no uniformity of issues, political parties and their bases are limited in a certain pockets,” he said.

There is no guarantee that a regional satrap will sweep beyond his area. The father figure of Jharkhand politics, JMM chief Shibu Soren, is an example who miserably lost in Tamar. The region is known for political despise towards any Santhal tribe.

But Kishore agreed parties never paid serious heed to address all such issues including fractured mandate. The word of that Congress leader rings sardonically true: “Let’s us celebrate President’s Rule as political festival.”

Munda and Hemant huddle in a meeting with Gadkari to resolve seat issue

Strap—Congress declares Balmuchu as candidate, Cong seeks support from JVM

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI   

Seat-sharing for two seats of Rajya Sabha elections in Jharkhand has turned into a classic pawn game. Two national parties and chief contender for the seat — BJP and Congress — are cornered by their junior regional allies on the poll chessboard despite political parties are left with one day—Monday — to file nomination.

The JMM wants the BJP to support its candidate and the BJP can’t leave claim over the seat represented by SS Ahluwaliya. The Congress has the same predicament. Its junior ally, JVM, has already fielded Praveen Singh as candidate reminding the Congress: “We helped you last time. You help this time as per promise,” JVM chief Babulal Marandi again said.

On late Sunday evening; State Congress President Pradeep Balmuchu informed The Pioneer about his candidature but he tone was reeking with electoral worries. “My name has been cleared as candidate. Let’s see what happens next. We are trying to persuade to support us. Secular forces need to remain united,” Balmuchu told The Pioneer over telephone from Delhi.

On Sunday BJP Chief Minister Arjun Munda flew to Mumbai along with deputy Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren to meet BJP national president Nitin Gadkari to negotiate over seat. Both Munda and Soren had an hour long discussion on Saturday where they could not reach to any conclusion except agreeing to a point to involve their party senior. State BJP president Dineshnanda Goswami informed that by late Sunday night the name of candidate could be announced.

During Saturday meeting, sources in the BJP said, that Soren asked Munda to convince his party leadership to support JMM nominee for the election. Sources in the JMM said that Jamshedpur based industrialist and owner of Nilanchal Ispat has received support of around 15 JMM MLAs in writing and has been using political connection to convince BJP bosses to agree upon his name as joint candidate.

But a section of BJP has not been able to stomach overt and covert suggestions of JMM to persuade BJP to agree for a common candidate who must be someone from the JMM fold.

Speaking to The Pioneer BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand SS Ahluwaliya refused to speak whether he was in party’s wish list for another term. “It is for the party to decide whether it find me suitable for the seat,” he said. NRI Ansuman Mishra has pressed his political connections to secure BJP ticket from Jharkhand.

The picture will be clear by late Sunday night or the next morning as leaders of both JMM and BJP will reach to any conclusion; settlement or stalemate. But the scene even day after will remain interesting as Rajya Sabha elections in Jharkhand have been controlled by mess and money.

JMM to support Mukherjee and Ansari

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

JMM chief Shibu Soren announced to support UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee for the presidential election after a meeting of party legislative body meeting on Sunday. The JMM also announced to support UPA candidate and vice president of India Md. Hamid Ansari for the post of Vice President.

Addressing media Soren termed Mukherjee as the person who is best fitted for the job. “He is a seasoned politician who commands respects across political parties. Country wants him as next President…we too,” Soren said. Soren added further that his party will support Ansari for the post of Vice President.

AJSU Party is yet to make announcement. “We will make announcement very soon within a day. The core committee of the party will take the decision,” Sudesh Mahto who is AJSU Party chief and Deputy Chief Minister in the Arjun Munda led government said. But party sources confided that the party is likely to support Mukherjee. “AJSU Party is almost decided about its choice about presidential candidate. We will discuss about vice president election also,’ a top AJSU Party leader said.

NDA supported candidate PA Sangma tried his best to seek support of the JM and the AJSU Party on the tribal line saying he expects support from Jharkhand which is a tribal state. But that emotional appeal hardly moved the JMM and the AJSU. JMM is quite loath to give any indication being pro-NDA nevertheless, the party is enjoying power along with the BJP in Jharkhand.

BJP not to field candidate in Mandu!

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

BJP will not field any candidate for the Mandu assembly by-election, authoritative sources in the BJP said. However, they remained cryptic on the issue of supporting either of the JMM and the JD (U).

“The party will not field any candidate. We don’t want to repeat Jamshedpur parliamentary by-election where JVM won due to the division of votes,” a senior office bearer of the party told the pioneer.

But the BJP has not been able to decide whether to support the JD (U), having pre-poll alliance under the NDA fold or the JMM which is a major partner in the BJP led coalition government.

Even if party’s local unit in Mandu and the Hazaribagh MP Yashwant Sinha strongly favoured party to contest the election on the ground that the party performed exceptionally well in the Mandu assembly segment in the last parliamentary election, state BJP leadership is aware of the embedded hazard in risking a direct contest.

“We can’t ignore the claim of JD (U) over Mandu that it got under seat sharing formula with the BJP. We can’t ignore the claim of the JMM since it had won the seat and also because of the reason that the JMM is a major ally in the government. If the BJP field any candidate it will annoy both the parties,” the leader said.

Highly placed sources in the party dropped thick hint about party’s proposed strategy during the by-election. The party may pose a very neutral approach and may not restrict its local unit to support and canvass for the candidate of its choice. But neutrality will not be an easy undertaking, though, the leader echoed the concern. Both JD (U) and the JMM have openly sought support from the BJP. During campaigning the BJP leadership specially Chief Minister Arjun Munda will have a tough time to keep both the sides happy. Supporting one will naturally be treated opposing other. Mandu matters more for the BJP than other JD (U) and JMM.

Dolly leaves behind dolls, sweet memories!

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

Their darling daughter has left her dolls and toys behind. Archita (5) loved to play with her pet doll Mickey Mouse. The only child of Annu Thakur and Ajay Thakur was doomed to death, virtually charred, on Tuesday midnight when the Doon Express; she was travelling along with her mother, leaped in inferno. That day too, she had not forgotten to keep her Barbi doll beside her before catching train at Asansol station for Dehradoon. Dolls and toys were her favourite companions from bedroom to the playground and wherever she went.

Thakur’s family album is stuffed with some of her colourful Kodak moments with toys and dolls—Barbi, Bratz, Japanese, Russian and many more—all turned sepia, gray, black and bleak all of a sudden. “Her room and toy-case was a telling story of fairy tales with around 350 toys and dolls. She herself having fairy and angelic appearance and act was the princes of that wonderland,” said one of her relatives. She had given each doll and toy a name and “would have told you as to when she got these,” he said.

When her body was brought to Ranchi for last rites, on Wednesday, Annu was left with Archita’s Mickey Mouse to hug and sob. Her eyes have swollen with tears welling constantly. Mickey is animated with life otherwise it blue button eyes too would have wept for missing Archita.

She has not spoken a word. She even did not cry. She just kept gazing the toy. And the toy brought more tears.  “Archita wanted more toys and dolls to play. Very seldom her father refused to get her anymore that time she had a trick to force him. Papa you don’t love me probably,” said her relative. Archita has left her dolls and toys and tears in the eyes of her parents. Pictures do not lie.  

Maoists attack MP’s convoy in Chatra

Strap: Five policemen feared dead, two civilians, three jawans injured

Vijay Deo Jha/Pranav Pratyush

Ranchi

On the eve of the two-day bandh, called by the CPI (Maoist) against the alleged ‘killing’ of Kishenji, Member of Parliament Inder Singh Namdhari was attacked in the jungles of Garu near Satpatia River in Latehar district on his way to Palamau from Netarhaat on Saturday evening.

Maoists blew three landmines when the convoy of Namdhari was crossing through the Garu Jungles. Namdhari though escaped unhurt and reached Daltonganj on his vehicle, five securities personnell in the escort party are feared dead, according to sources. 

The MP was on his way back to Daltonganj when a huge explosion took place just after his vehicle crossed the area under Garu police station in Latehar district.

“I have come to know that some police personnel have been killed in the incident. We are trying to confirm it. It is also being reported that there were eight security persons in the escort party,” said Jharkhand DGP GS Rath.

“We have also received information that two civilians have received bullet injuries in the cross firing taking place at the spot of the incident,” Rath added.

Sources revealed that the two civilians included a five-year-old child and an 18-year-old girl, who were travelling in the bus that came under the cross firing.

Police had reportedly rushed to the spot within minutes and an encounter was taking place at the time of filing of this report. Additional forces had also been rushed to the spot to aid the forces, police sources added.

Namdhari, who had reached Daltonganj safely, said that he had heard an explosion behind his car. “A blast occurred behind my car and my driver did not stop sensing danger. Later we were safely escorted from the next police picket,” he was quoted as saying.

Munda assures honour for people involved in separate Jharkhand movement

Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi

Chief Minister Arjun Munda, on Wednesday, assured a delegation representing people involved in separate Jharkhand movement that the government will soon workout on a policy to identify all those who were left out of government’s pension scheme for such activists.

Submitting a 21-points memorandum the delegation led by veteran tribal leader Suraj Singh Besara, JMM leader Suraj Mandal, Vinod Kumar Bhagat not only found faults in the policy of the government to cover only such people who remained in jail for at least six months in connection with cases related with separate Jharkhand movement but also termed the pension amounts too meager.

During Winter Session of the assembly CM Munda had announced for a grant of Rs five thousand and three thousands for those who remained in jail for one year and six months, respectively, in connection with separate Jharkhand movement cases.

“The government is bound to honour all those who fought for the statehood of Jharkhand. The government has already announced to start pension scheme for such people and the matter has been sent for the approval of finance. But we should be careful not to allow anybody to take benefit of the scheme those who never participated in the movement. The matter will be brought before the cabinet for deliberation,” Munda told the media after the meeting.

The delegation contended that if the amount of penal punishment in form of jail is taken as the sole criterion than a lot of people will remained in jail for less period than notified and those who participated in the movement through other means will not get benefit.

During the meeting Munda said that the government has already announced to start pension schemes for those who have already been identified by the government. “CM has assured us that the process to identify rest will be started very soon. Problem is that none of the political parties our splintered groups have list of their party cadres who took part in the agitation. We have demanded the government to provide medical facilities for such pensioners at par with freedom fighters of the country,” Mandal said.

The delegation floated proposal to form a commission comprising leaders of separate Jharkhand movement and government officials to identify such people and submit report by end of March 2012.

“The government made the list of probable pensioners based on the records of 1998 prepared on basis of information provided by different district administrations,” a senior CMO official told the pioneer. But the government has been caught in a peculiar situation to fix a cut-off date for the start of separate Jharkhand movement.  Seeking compensation of Rs 10 lakh and job for the family of those who died while fighting for the cause of separate state; the delegation demanded the government to withdraw cases against them.

In 2008 the then government of Madhu Koda had announced to lift cases but not more than 100 cases were taken on the priority basis. It was not a new announcement since the list was prepared and submitted by the Home Department during previous stint of Munda as CM of Jharkhand.

Coalition grumbles, Opposition giggles

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI   

Ahead of Monsoon Session Chief Minister Arjun Munda attempted to douse fire by sending out message to JMM where he reaffirmed his commitment for running coalition government on consensus basis. Top CMO sources said that Munda spoke to couple of JMM leaders including Deputy Chief Minister Hemant Soren a day back and wished that coalition partners would better display unity on the floor of the House rather than providing ammo to the Opposition.

But the JMM sources offered disturbing views over the message that may belie CM’s trust measures. JMM’s chronic complainers against the government and hardliners have been impressing upon their party bosses to resort to brinkmanship politics under which JMM MLAs might abstain from four days critical assembly session.

While JMM is sure to take part in the inaugural session of the assembly starting from Friday, a high level meeting is scheduled after the session. “Such steps can be taken to make BJP feel about our concern. They can’t take us lightly,” a top JMM leader said. 

Sources confided the CM was “Not at all happy the manner in which small and routine differences among ally partners were trumpeted and blown out of proportion.” The eleventh-hour postponement of cabinet meeting on Tuesday, JMM’s catalogues of complaints against government officials seem to have come as a shock for the government. Soren triggered more conflict by saying that one out of three keys of the government is dysfunctional. He did not name anybody but it was clearly inferred that a dysfunctional key meant the head of the coalition.

BJP national general secretary and state BJP in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan accepted that coalition partners might not be on the same page over several issues politically. But, he was quick to reject it a case of trust deficit. “A bit by-play takes place among coalition partners but this is not a serious issue,” Pradhan told The Pioneer.

Meanwhile, JMM sources said that the junior Soren was seething with anger and distrust and wanted greater say in governance. Publicly, the JMM has not enumerated about the kind of concession and package of greater say it would like to have. Key aides of Munda contended that the CM had always taken alliance partners in confidence. “He has been discussing issues with cabinet colleagues and two of his deputy Chief Ministers. He piloted and promoted key projects related with the departments under the JMM control. In a coalition government partners often exert pressure for more space. But you can’t expect a CM to be guided by diktats,” sources said.

The JMM has causes of concern and feels that the JMM will be pilloried by the Opposition over the Nagri land controversy during assembly debate. JMM feels that JMM’s Land Revenue Minister Mathura Mahto was deliberately appointed as chairman of committee to find solution to this problem. “JMM has already supported farmers who are agitating against land acquisition. During debate (Mathura) can’t go against the stand of the government. If he does he will be accused for disrespecting collective responsibility. It is not BJP but our party has to face Opposition’s brickbat,” JMM MLA Shashank Shekhar Bhokta said.

Meanwhile, state BJP legislative body meeting was convened on Thursday evening to draw a line to meet Oppositions’ challenges. The Opposition is sure to make best use of opportunity to fire salvo on the government and the BJP especially BJP minister Satyanand Jha ‘Batul’ who has landed in extramarital controversy. BJP will take a convenient plea that the minister can’t be forced to go before charges against him are proved. But BJP is not sure about the JMM that behaves unpredictably.

Coalition drama to unfold as Munda returns

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda is learnt to have told his close political associates in clear terms that he would give coalition arrangements with the JMM a last chance to survive, but not at the cost of the whimsical terms and condition of ally.    

“If the JMM has decided to preside over the liquidation of coalition government then there is no two ways about it. The JMM is orchestrating 28-28 months power sharing pact between two parties during government formation exercise in 2010 that pact which never took place. The BJP may try to be logical with the JMM but not beyond a certain point. Our leader (Munda) has made it plain,” a top BJP leader said.

Important development on political front on Thursday stoked fire of speculation of crisis on the coalition front rolling fast.

Munda who flew to Delhi to attend National Development Council meeting is believed to have cut short his visit. He is likely to return Ranchi on Friday against scheduled arrival on Saturday. Top BJP sources confided Munda had meeting with central party bosses in Delhi. Top BJP leaders were of the view that continuing with a pretentious political partner for a long would cost the BJP dearly in the coming days. It came with a subtle hint, the BJP may withdraw. 

The JMM chief Shibu Soren summoned an unscheduled meeting of senior party leaders on Thursday evening.

Munda made a renewed attempt to save the Jharkhand alliance and formally suggested a meeting of State Coordination Committee (SCC) on Saturday to discuss differences among alliance partners on polity and political level. Soren, the chairman of SCC, has already declined he is keen for a meeting. Reliable sources in the JMM said the party meeting gave its seal of approval on Soren’s stance over SCC.

SCC meeting, BJP sources said, was the last bid of Munda to stop unnecessary political babble. Meanwhile, the Raj Bhavan is learnt to have invited Munda for over a cup of tea. “We can’t explain reason and occasion of meeting over a cup of tea. We can’t draw any political inference,” Raj Bhavan sources said.

A top aide of Munda unequivocally told The Pioneer the BJP will rather pull out from the government than accepting swap of CM post to the JMM. The aide dropped enough sense to understand the BJP may suffocate Soren and his party on critical issues specifically on Domicile Policy for Jharkhand that the JMM has been insisting to keep year 1932 as cut of date for its implementation.

“Soren is authorized to call SCC meeting if he wishes to short out issues. And if he does not that means he has decided to withdraw. We believe that the JMM may use contentious Domicile Policy as pretext to withdraw. We may withdraw well before they do. But that won’t be an easy game for the JMM and the Congress as well,” aid said.    

Munda after his return may prod and announce a radical amendment to keep November 15, 2000 as cut of date within Domicile Policy on the line of Uttarakhand state that may consolidate a large urban chunk in the BJP fold. The BJP insiders feel the Congress playing behind the curtain with a promise of critical prod to help the JMM to form government a fresh. 

In that case it will be tough for the Congress to take a stand on ‘cut of date’ because it will affect the party both ways. Munda has told he will not buzz beyond a point.  

Tales of flickering flame!

VIJAY DEO JHA 

RANCHI

Who are you writing for? Why do you do it? Who do you think you are?

— Margaret Atwood on writers and writing, in Negotiating with the Dead

Journalism is not an equal opportunity employer. Journalism must often be an even more discriminating concern, for the press of dubious claimants at its door is frenetic. This, mind you has been the realm of meritocracy which is now struggling to banish agents and agenda to allow market and money against a takeover, after the boom of liberalization in 1990.

Wannabe entrants should learn the new set of rules of this changed realm with so many midwife of pride and prejudice — editors and agent, publisher and promoter, market and money, reader and critic as stakeholders. And mind legendry editors have just been chucked to the bin of fable and journalists are now no more than paid labourers.

Rajnish Sharma is probably best able, at the moment, to convey the sensations of baptism into journalism— at once beatific and blistered. His book —Flickering Flames — has had such a lavish stewing at the hands of Indian reviewers you’d think the idea was to turn Rajnish fiction to pulp.

Reviewers found it many layered novel, ‘funny but not flippant’ a story of the metamorphosis of media through a love story and a take on journalism, its constant pressures and moments of joy, the free parties, the professional jealousy, the editorial-management divide and the inevitable edit bloopers.

And all these are woven around a love story between sensitive, cynical and reticent Aditya and the enigmatic Shenaz Zaidi, a young liberal woman that takes shapes quietly beyond frenzied editorial meetings of The Times a newspaper launched in the city of nawabs, Lucknow.  They fall in love and their love bloomed to blight after Shenaz moved to Mauritius. It sprouted again after they met at the end of the story. The story of Aditya and Shenaz are the only romantic relief otherwise, “newspaper is just another product like soap. Journalists…paid labourers who must know the art of survival, shedding of intellectual pretensions and falling in line with the company's business interests".

The novel seems to bear the imprint Rajnish’s own trail and tribulation as a journalist craftily serving few slices of his life to munch. But then, why Lucknow, why not Delhi or Mumbai? “My novel draws largely from the people I came across over the years, but the inspiration was the feature I feel is unique to the city—communal harmony. I believe, in no other part of the world could there be such peaceful coexistence.”

                 

“Problems and perils in the media world in small town like Ranchi, Patna, and Ranchi etc are more obvious than metros,” he says.

This 40 chapters book takes the readers from news room to some of the pulsating vista of the ‘city of Nawabs’ with around 15 interesting characters joining the main protagonist Aditya There is G.K. Bose, the editor looking like an "overgrown teddy bear with podgy hands”, desperately fighting a losing battle with the management over editorial control. There is a Bureau Chief; Rameez “with a Machiavellian axe to grind;” there is Siddh (Sid) Shukla, a "scrawny and frizzy haired" who have a sore in the eyes of the management.

Rajnish is bold in adminting what a journlaist feel: "working with passion is fine, but you must draw a line. Always remember that we are just employees, not the owners."

Flickering Flames seeks reply to Who are you writing for? Why do you write? Who do you think you are? 

RS candidate shrewdly used high tech strategy

Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi

Investigation of horse trading in March 30 Rajya Sabha elections, countermanded later on, reveals that a candidate had smartly used technology and strategy to convey message and distribute money among MLAs which are mostly found in the case of seasoned techno conspirators.

As per the information available with The Pioneer two weeks before the election one such candidate had bought around 40 numbers of Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) for exclusive and one time use among the members of the core group. The number was used once or twice and destroyed soon after to deceive investigative agency like Income Tax Department and others which was kept tab on alleged horse trading. One such number ending with 06 is in switched-off mode a day after the election.

These numbers were used primarily by trusted men of that candidate who were deployed to courier money to the target MLAs. Once money reached to its destination and received it was confirmed and communicated on these selective numbers.

“Once message was communicated the SIM card was destroyed so that none could trace it. They had been boasting having one of the advanced strategies that leaves no trace of crime behind. They did not use their usual numbers known to everybody. In some cases they destroyed their mobiles too. They had been instructed not to use Short Message Service,” a person close to the candidate said.

All these numbers were purchased on the fake identity cards. Entire network of messengers and couriers were arranged and supervised by two businessmen in Ranchi whose role is being investigated by the CBI.

The said candidate in the past had even planned to start business venture in Ranchi including opening of two shopping malls one near Kutchery Chowk and another at Naga Baba Khatal. Helped by a state politician he had even placed proposal before the government. As both the places were vacated during the anti-encroachment drive following High Court’s order, he had to abandon his project. Plan for mall at Kutchery Chowk was learnt to have vehemently opposed by Ranchi BJP MLA and Assembly Speaker CP Singh who said that people should not be displaced.  The displacement issues of the Naga Baba Khatal in the wake of eviction drive poured cold water on his scheme.