Mysterious lady Lalita surfaces in RS horse trading case

An independent candidate of March 30 Rajya Sabha election and his close associates were in regular touch with one Lalita through three different MTS mobile numbers, during election period. The Pioneer has documents to show that she happens to be the relative of an independent MLA who is learnt to have cast vote for that independent.

The CBI investigation into the RS poll has revealed that these three MTS numbers along with seven others were obtained on forged documents in the month of March against the name of Yakub Ali and others, by one Ram Bangar through to fix deals with power brokers and MLAs to get votes of MLAs for the said independent candidate. All these SIMs were destroyed on March 30 to wipe out any evidence of alleged horse trading.

Information and documents show, March 27 to March 29, Lalita on her Airtel number (20 as last two digits) had received 24 calls from three MTS numbers which are under the CBI scanner.

Information and documents available with The Pioneer indicate that Lalita had received six calls between 7 AM to 2 PM on March 27th from two MTS (number, 69 and 87 as last two digits of the respective numbers). The said MTS number, ending with 69, is said to be registered against the name of Ali. She had received call from MTS number (87) at 3.18 PM. On March 28 she had received at least 15 calls from MTS (69) from 9 PM to 10 PM.

On March 29 she received three calls from the same MTS number (69) between 3.47 AM to 12.47 AM. On March 29 she had received another two calls; at 4.09 PM and 7.47 PM respectively, from another MTS mobile number ending with 53. The longer call durations land Lalita in doubt as she does not seem to be an ordinary subscriber.

Further verifying about the mysterious lady in communication, it was found that Lalita is the residence of Tundul Doriya Toli Nayasaray locality: She had furnished documents of aforesaid residential address to the MTS service provider.

It is not a mere coincidence that the MLA had mentioned same address in an affidavit dated April 5, 2004 submitted to the Election Commission during filing his nominations in 2004 Assembly election. It is not a mere coincidence that the said MLA has mentioned Lalita as his wife in the affidavit. The only difference lies in the surname which is not so significant.

The doubtful thing is that the said 10 MTS numbers, including mentioned three, were used to communicate with more than a dozen powerful political persons during the  election period. The Pioneer is in the possession of certain details which indicates that Lalita or the person using her phone were in active touch with an independent MLA and close aide of other independent MLA whose conducts are under CBI scanner.

Taking a clue out of the May 18 raids by the CBI when the agency questioned Yakub Ali of Mandar about the 10 MTS SIMs obtained against his name, The Pioneer further probed the mystery behind use of these MTS numbers during the elections to reveal nexus. The Pioneer had first reported secret use of MTS numbers in its May 8 edition.

"Circumstances indicate indulgence of independent candidate and person using Lalita's number in some foul play since there is no reason to receive and make calls from secret or doubtful numbers at a time when investigative agencies had kept close eyes on any possible use of money," an intelligence official said.

All looked the other way while MLAs cross-voted

Cross-voting by MLAs during March 30 Rajya Sabha elections has forced political parties to keep mum rather than address the tough issue which is now under CBI investigation.

Two consecutive CBI raids on the premises of 18 MLAs, on April 21 and May 18, and investigations so far reveal that dozens of MLAs were involved in alleged horse trading to cast first or second preference vote for an Independent candidate without any qualms for falling on the integrity index.

They had read and signed directives of their parties to cast first preference vote to the party candidate or to the alliance candidate and had been warned that using second preference will be considered anti-party activity.

The Congress invoked the name of party national president Sonia Gandhi. The BJP held two sessions for its MLAs on polling day and force-fed them the concept of clean politics. The JMM chief Shibu Soren resorted to theatrics to urge that Sanjeev Kumar’s win was his last wish.

Sitting in Patna, RJD chief, Lalu Prasad directed his MLAs to support Congress candidate Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu. But the directive got lost somewhere in Ranchi where couple of RJD MLAs had some other ‘profitable’ plans.

The AJSU Party announced support to the JMM candidate which remained on paper. AJSU party minister, Chandra Prakash Chaudhary, was busy calculating required votes and bargaining support price for an Independent candidate which became evident after the CBI seized a chart-sheet from his residence.

Election Commission had forewarned to countermand election in case of horse trading and Income Tax Department even seized `2.15 crore cash from the possession of close aides of Independent candidate RK Agrawal. It happened despite the BJP, Congress and JMM deputing seasoned leaders as election agents. The AJSU party, RJD and JD(U) by not appointing any election agent, had silently allowed cross-voting.

CBI sources said four out of five AJSU MLAs, three from the RJD and one of the JD(U) MLAs had voted for Pawan Kumar Dhoot. Leaders of the BJP, Congress and JMM are finding it tough to explain the circumstances under which their MLAs dared to cross party line.

 The BJP had appointed Anant Ojha and Balmukund Sahay as polling agent. Two of BJP MLAs, Ramchandra Baitha and Arun Mandal, reportedly cast their first and second preference vote to Dhoot despite the party had announced to support the JMM. The party had previous notion about Baitha but had no inkling about Mandal. The CBI during raids seized Rs 15 lakh cash from his residence. “It is a mystery. Though, he had shown his ballot to our polling agent, size of the ballot paper was quite small. He might have managed,” a senior party leader said. Baitha rather got reward for cross-voting as the BJP revoked his suspension from the party after a gap of two years.

The JMM election agent Supriyo Bhattachary who had claimed that JMM fold remained united and none used second preference, had, no convincing explanation after three of the JMM MLAs, Sita Soren, Polush Surin and Vishnu Bhaiya, allegedly voted for Dhoot. “To the best of my knowledge none defied party line. If it happened I should blame my poor eyesight,” he said.

Leader of the Congress legislative body Rajendra Singh, who was election agent of the party along with Chandrasekhar Dubey, too was evasive. “I am very outspoken. When Anant Pratap Dev had cast vote for the JVM candidate by mistake I promptly demanded its cancellation. We had been ensuring first preference vote. If anybody cheated by using second preference to help others, then the party is going to take action,” he said.

But the CBI sources are not ready to believe election agents as ‘innocent fellows with poor eyesight’. “It was a grand conspiracy hatched at the top level. Stage was managed in advance and suitable premium was paid,” CBI sources said.

AJSU Party ropes in Dhoni’s big brother for Hatia poll campaign

At least on two occasions — when summer is at its peak and 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 fail 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 Jaiswal. Narendra inaugurated election 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 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 Narendra had 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,” said Deepak Thakur, an AJSU Party worker.

Politics is not a new enterprise for Narendra, though. 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. Interestingly, 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 holds primary membership of the party or has 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.

In the surcharged political atmosphere in Hatia, weathermen have predicted no respite from heat. Many are waiting for Narendra to find time for philanthropic act of setting up drinking water kiosks out of his busy political schedule.

Of myths, misunderstandings and Munda’s Chatra visit

Two popular myths surround Chatra district. The first — Goddess Bhadrakali’s ancient temple in Itkhori has been protecting the area from natural and manmade ravage all these. The second is a perception that Chatra is part of a Welfare State.

A grand pre-Holi celebration was organised on Sunday night by former BJP MLA from Chatra to welcome Munda in the district, which he called one of the most challenging and critical in Jharkhand. The next day banned CPI (Maoist) gave a call for Jharkhand bandh.

Chatra which shuts down even at a mere rumour of a Maoists-called bandh, seemingly ignored the call on Monday. Chatra roads bore a deserted look in the morning but only till the CM’s noisy convoy passed through the Chatra-Itkhori road. Villages on the flanks flocked to see the passing cavalcade even asking Munda to spend few moments with them. They had meticulously planned to use these moments to submit handwritten petitions of their problems and demands.

The greater part of Chatra is an area of darkness and poverty, metaphorically and quite literally.

“The important thing to me is that there is an air of expectation. Overwhelmed by their enthusiasm and the way they came out despite call for bandh I decided to spend more time with them,” Munda told The Pioneer late on Monday evening at Giridih Circuit House.

Twice during select media briefing on Monday morning, Munda called Chatra as one of the most challenging areas of Jharkhand in terms of impact of Maoism and under-development.

“While, I have assigned my Ministers to supervise different districts, I personally felt I should look after Chatra. It is one of the critical and challenging districts. It is a big responsibility,” Munda said.

“I wanted to clear certain misunderstandings about Chatra that’s why I decided night stay here. I know they are under-developed. Development works have been started but it is not up to desired pace. Roads are not good,” he said.

The Balbal-Katkamsandi rutted road is the regular Jharkhandi nightmare. District officials have stopped or seldom visit interior areas where a visit is a kind of excursion into a living museum of the 18th century or thereabouts. Prosperity has taken a back seat for the cultivation of poppy, as Maoists have captured thousands of acres of land in the deep interiors of Lawalong and other parts, something that police and administration deny.

An awareness message to eradicate polio painted several monsoons ago in one of the villages in Itkhori, a forlorn foundation stone whose plaque was removed many years back, the poster of Vidya Balan of Dirty Picture-film pasted over a MNREGA wage-list; In these parts you can probably forgive them for thinking a starlet is more achievable than a daily wage!

“I have come to know that around 19 doctors have reported absent from their duty. Action will be taken against them. We need more doctors here. I have sought a detailed report of the requirements,” Munda said.

Block Development Officers of Kunda and Lawalong blocks have stopped visiting their block office out of Naxal fear; they now operate from safer area of Simariya. “That’s why I called Chatra a critical area. I am serious on these issues. I am not defending anybody,” Munda said.

Chatra consumes less energy because it has less power supply. The ambitious North Karnpura power project inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004 in Chatra was short-circuited by the Centre before it could produce even a unit.

“Centre first acquired lands and evicted people for the project and now says that power project is not feasible because the site have coal deposits. Either the Central Government starts the project or I will lead people’s demonstration in Delhi,” Munda said during inauguration of power grid at Itkhori.

Forget about any centre of excellence for education in Chatra — though Munda promised a model college soon — schools are in a dilapidated condition. “It is surprising that despite sanctions to  construct an extra 577 school rooms, the work has not been started. I am annoyed,” Munda told The Pioneer.

Before leaving for Giridih via road, Munda visited Bhadrakali temple. “I will visit Chatra again to see whether development work and welfare projects have been started or not,” he said.

That probably will be the third myth of Chatra!.

Hatia bypoll: Too tough a fight for Sahays!

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

He dares dust and stinging heat, grabs hands of few youth’ and does some whispering in ears that came close to him, fondles a couple of school going kids and asks if they know who he is and jumps back to announce. “All of them know me personally…even children; this is happening everywhere, so you judge how I am doing,” he cocks back his sweaty head.

Call it confidence, call it complacency, Congress party candidate Sunil Sahay has convinced himself that he is set to grab Hatia. He is loath to his experience in active politics and looks the other way when his opponents  even within the Congress  dismiss him just as younger brother of Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay.

Muted protest of giving preference to family rather than dedicated party workers has become louder. On Wednesday, veteran Congress leader Pratibha Pandey accused senior Sahay as responsible for the rout of the Congress. “Sahay had started the process of the ruin of the Congress which will be finished in Hatia,” Pandey said on Wednesday and announced to join the BJP. She is peeved at the denial of ticket. The Congress has a long list of such whiners who are secretly wishing and plotting for defeat to boom on the face of the Sahays.

“My opponents have been running short of ideas and arsenal against me. They have accepted defeat in advance,” he chucks such impressions in the bin and moves ahead to other locations to grab more hands. This is a huge leap of faith that he has acquired during his tedious tour of Hatia constituency. His elder brother has already deployed his trusted men, might, manner and mesmerism for him and Bhabhi (Sister in law) Rekha Sahay too came out of the kitchen to catch vote. He knows, though, at the bottom of his conviction of victory that he argued ahead of time, that it will take very little to un-work all his talk of work.

This is Hatia Assembly constituency after all where caste, candidate, combination and party organisation are intrinsically woven. There are candidates like Ramji Lal Sarda (BJP), Naveen Jaiswal (AJSU), Ajay Nath Sahdeo (JVM) and few others who have made the fight multi-cornered. Sarda is probably fighting the last election of his life and the BJP has deployed its organisational base, up to booth level, to snatch Hatia back from the Congress and to compensate what Sarda lost marginally in the last election at the hand of Congress’ late Gopal Sharan Nath Shahdeo of the Ratu royal family. “Here it is BJP not Sarda who is fighting. In the Congress this is a Minister who is fighting the election. Things are going to be miserable for the Sahays,” Hemant Keshri, a BJP worker said. Even if the contest become bipolar, between the Congress and BJP finally, Sahay has two powerful contenders, Ajay and Naveen who are targeting the Congress’ core Muslim votes.

“Muslims en masse are not going to vote for the Congress. There are many Muslim candidates in the fray other than the move of JVM and AJSU. We need to be very cautious,” says Ashraf Ali, a Congress worker at Itki Bazaar.

Itki appeared divided over its electoral choice. The contest is mainly among BJP, AJSU and JVM while the Congress is trying to jostle for its share.

Don’t forget Virendra Bhagat here in Itki area just because he is contesting as an independent. Having potential hold over Sarna votes in Itki, which has a sizeable chunk of around 20,000, Bhagat has been wooing Christian votes too with independent MLA Bandhu Tirkey now extending him over support.

Sahay’s adversaries have surrounded him from all sides, from rural to urban areas, from campaign to criticism. “It is time to teach the Congress lessons for loot and corruption…time to teach the Congress for neglecting Hatia,” as though his opponents have ganged-up against him. “We are getting publicity free of cost. That means we are in the fray,” chortled one Congress worker but he admits that the Opposition has thrown unexpected challenges. And junior brother is counting too much on his elder to handle the Opposition’s mounted assault.

The large part of Ratu which remained loyal to the Congress because of its loyalty towards the royal family may witness loyalty shift. “People voted to Gopal sahib not to the Congress. This time, the BJP will gain here,” said Mahaveer Gupta, owner of a cloth shop. If proof is required BJP flags fluttering atop houses indicate so. Ajay, kin of the royal family is trying to claim the legacy of Shahdeo. Sahay knows that election result will have far reaching impact   a truth he will not accept publicly.

Sankarshan Thakur

Legislators’ PAs on the run, CBI grills them to prove ‘innocence’

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

Till a month back they freely roamed in the power portal with their collar-up shirts claiming themselves as the shadow and close confidant of their MLA bosses. But the Man Fridays of State Legislators are now claiming innocence and feigning ignorance before the CBI about any secret deal of their bosses during the Rajya Sabha elections.

The CBI investigating the Rajya Sabha horse trading case has been chasing dozens of people who are so called private assistant of MLAs — officially and quite publicly — as the investigative agency has been sniffing their role in the foul play.

“Very funny,” chortled a CBI official, “Their excuse provides some comic relief. Some of them sought mercy and relief saying that they were mere minions and attendants of their masters having no knowledge if their bosses entered into any shady ‘cash for vote’ deal.”

Few days back, a CBI official had sent stern message to Rajendra Mandal who is reported to handling political and other affairs of JMM MLA Sita Soren, and asked him to voluntarily appear before the CBI otherwise he would be tucked away even from his unreachable destination. “Initially he did not pick our call. We sent him message. Luckily he picked once. He talked insolently as though we are making a fun call. He dodged us about his destination. He is yet to turn up,” the official said.

Sensing trouble ahead their worried relatives and well wishers are charting defense line. “Prove it first that my son Rajendra has been private assistant of Sita Soren. He has never been associated with her in any capacity. These CBI fellows… (expletive deleted) have been harassing him,” senior JMM leader and former MP Suraj Mandal said. Having faced CBI in ‘MP Bribery Case during Narsimha Rao Government; Mandal understands what CBI investigation means that gave him sleepless nights despite overdose of sleeping pills.

But sources having privy of inside story confided Rajendra and Vikash Singh as two close confidants of Sita. Vikash was rather brought by Rajendra as second man. Later on, Rajendra developed differences with Vikash as later tried to nudge him on the margin, the CBI got this vital clue during the examination of a couple of persons. Vikash Singh is still a tough customer for the CBI as he reportedly stopped receiving calls from CBI despite direction to appear within 24 hours.

“We are offering them the best possible opportunity to prove their innocence. They know a lot about horse trading and we have evidences,” official claimed.

Constant chasing by the CBI finally forced Girija Shankar (one time PA of Sita Soren) to appear before the CBI on Tuesday. “He appeared before the CBI and said that he reached Ranchi today. Our men interrogated them,” CBI SSP R.C. Chaudhary conformed. Girija’s appearance was not an easy undertaking. “He (Girija) tried to make us believe that he was in Delhi while we had information about his presence in Ranchi. This was a kid of hide and seek game,” another CBI official said. On Monday night, Girija was staying at the residence of a private secretary of a top JMM leader.  Girija even stayed for a couple of days in a hotel situated at Kutchery Chowk locality. The CBI had raided the hotel also to catch him.

The CBI summoned Vishwajeet Nath Sahdeo who is known to be acting as private assistant of the AJSU Party MLA Kamal kishore Bhagat who is under the CBI scanner.  Scared by the CBI summon Sahdeo switched off his mobile.  The CBI is also likely to grill private secretary of a JVM MLA.

“Some of them are really innocent but not all of them innocent. These things are bound to happen because if you become the part of shady deals and act of your master you have to face the situation,” a person who has served many MLAs and minister as PA said on the condition of anonymity.

Tears for husband, not a drop for heist  

VIJAY DEO JHA

She often failed to bribe her emotions to stop tears wailing out even publicly. The lady herself accepted quite often that she is strong but her emotions sometimes cause embarrassment which she had rather not display, at least to the public eye.

But somehow, Geeta Koda, wife of jailed politician and former CM Madhu Koda, just can’t control lachrymal lapses. On Thursday, she wept around an hour before casting her vote during the Rajya Sabha election in favour of the Congress nominee Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu.

She was crucial for Congress’ electoral scheme and she turned-up quite late only after anxious poll managers of the Congress dispatched KN Tripathi to persuade and escort her for voting. She had unspent payloads of fury and complaints against the Congress, accumulated over the years, after her husband was arrested on November 30, 2009 against charges of looting state exchequer as Chief Minister.

She complained the Congress had secured her vote in 2010 Rajya Sabha election on the promise that the party will certainly do something to bailout him out of legal tangle within three to six months of time. “You did not so anything. Once your purposes are solved you forget promises,” she is learnt to have expressed her grudges before the Congress leaders in chocked voice. She was among the kingmakers on the day of RS election one that could doom or boom electoral prospect of the Congress. But her visages — swollen face and moisten eyes —belied countenance of kingmaker, rather wife of a disgraced king.

“Yes I am emotional. But tears in my eyes are because of toothache. I am not able to tolerate it,” she told half truth. Tripathi rather came with medical explanation of her grim face. “She has severe pain in kernel teeth. She drove here after consulting dentist who administered her injection to control pain.”

But it’s fair to say that her latest jerk of tear was least caused by toothache as another Congress MLA Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed her emotional outburst before the Congress leaders. “She was weeping. She complained that the Congress did nothing for her jailed husband. It was tough to make her understand that personal issues can’t be mixed with political matter. Mr. Koda has been facing criminal cases not political, which is under investigation…and no political party or person can interfere in that. Law will take it own course,” he said. The Congress consoled her and secured her precious vote, though, she had no option but to vote for the Congress. The lady who had once announced to carry on the political legacy and legal battle of her husband is a serial crier too.

A brief history of lady Koda’s crying.

Fighting her first assembly election in the absence of her husband on December 2009 during campaign at Sarbil in Jagannathpur Geeta Koda made an emotive appeal and allowed tears to moisten her eyes. Tears paid her back, translated public emotions in vote. During brawl in Birsa Munda Jail where Madhu Koda suffered fracture on his elbow; she was furious and full of tears in demanding judicial probe of the case.

Psychologists would tell that women are more prone to jerking tears in a situation of uncontrolled flow when emotions bounds. Physiologists offer further explanation of tears: an overactive sympathetic nervous system cause outbursts of emotions under situation of stress or intense joy.

Noted eye specialist Bharti Kashyap classifies tears as followings — basal tears which lubricate the eye, reflex tears which is caused by irritant chemicals or pains in some parts of body and emotional tears. “I think she has the case of emotional tears which relieves one from the stress,” she said. In lady Koda case, many and more medical and psychological factors might have caused tears but nothing evidently qualify to stimulate her tear glands to shed a tear on the  massive loot by her husband and his Co.

My beautiful but dangerous nieces--Ananya and Samya

My beautiful but dangerous nieces--Ananya and Samya

Reservation about me must be based on fact: Mishra to Yashwant

Reservation about me must be based on fact: Mishra to Yashwant

VIJAY DEO JHA / PRANAV PRATYUSH

RANCHI

Ansuman Mishra has newly joined school of politics and he will not run away just because bully boys have summoned ragging upon him. He used his best political and corporate connection to secure support of the BJP, AJSU Party and JD (U) to contest Rajya Sabha election, something which has peeved some of the central BJP leaders. A miffed BJP senior Yashwant Sinha, dropped thick hint of his displeasure. Before his arrival for an electoral battle in Jharkhand his opponents demanded his departure. “Please note I am not BJP candidate,” he reminds. Staying at state BJP headquarter he is busy drafting electoral strategy.

“If I would have been an ordinary person there would not have been so much of panic at top level. Those who have been ragging me, are, afraid that they will be subjected to same ragging by me tomorrow,” Mishra made a blunt remark. He claimed his candidature having given sleepless night to his adversaries. He is in serious business of politics and ready to rebut the charges and concern, be it of Sinha or Sushma Swaraj.

“I have never met Sushmaji and Yashwantji. Only once I got an opportunity to shake hands with Sinhaji during a programme in Newyork when he was the Foreign Minister,” he said.

“I don’t know whether he is unhappy with me or with the party. I have not heard his statement, though media have reported this,” he said. Central BJP leadership including Sinha and Swaraj have not made their reservation known about Mishra and his candidature in public which could be many.

Mishra replied: “Yashwant Sinha might have certain reservation about me. But such reservations must be based on the fact. He should have gathered details about me. You can’t hang anybody without a trial. Every dog has its day. It is wrong to tag a person as corporate lobbyist or Dhan Pashu (Hungry after money) without meeting him or investigating his or her background. It is wrong to run vilification campaign.”

Mishra did not name his target but ensured salvo must hit the target. “People who are so called intellectual and interface of the party…. fear that their bread and butter will be lost if someone strong, effective and knowledgeable come into the system.”

System and those ruling it, resist when such persons try to enter into it. “They may stop me in Jharkhand. But they can’t stop me at national level. It is true that a section of BJP favoured me but another section lobbied hard to stop me,” he said.  

The day Mishra filed his nomination he became a national figure with number of dubious appendages describing him—an airdropped candidate, an outsider, corporate lobbyist and one who used his political connection in the BJP to secure support. “Can anybody explain what makes me airdropped candidate and party outsider when I have been associated with various wings of the BJP,” he retorts.  

He shifted blame on Subrat Roy of Sahara Group of Companies for running such a hate campaign against him. “I had good relation with Roy till a year back. Roy has been sponsoring campaign against me. He tried to foil prospect for my candidature but there are ten such top and noted industrialists from Mumbai to Delhi who supported me,” he said. Mishra admitted that other than his political connection his years of PR exercise in the corporate world helped him. He hates to reply politician and lobbyist Amar Singh who leaped out of political coma to offer media few unconfirmed scoops about him.

Mishra has made a bet for Rajya Sabha. He claimed to be in controlling position for electoral magic in his favour. But least he is compelled for horse trading, “I would rather pack-up and proceed to my home by next flight.”  

Munda’s encounter with myths and misunderstanding in Chatra

Munda’s encounter with myths and misunderstanding in Chatra

VIJAY DEO JHA

CHATRA

There are two myths about Chatra district. The first epical myth, that the Goddess Bhadrakali having ancient temple in Itkhori has been protecting the area from ravage all these centuries—both natural and manmade. The second—less epic and more governmental—that Chatra has been the part of the welfare state.

A grand pre-Holi celebration was thrown on Sunday night by former BJP MLA from Chatra as Munda arrived in the very district which he called one of the most challenging and critical in Jharkhand. The very next day banned CPI (Maoist) gave a call for Jharkhand bandh. Chatra which shut downs even at mere rumours or unconfirmed farman of Maoist to bandh seemingly militated the call on Monday, though, its roads bore a deserted look in the morning; overran by blaring flotilla of Chief Minister. 

But as his cavalcade passed through Chatra-Itkhori road villages on the flanks started flocking and frolicking in welcome mood asking him to spend few moments with them. They had meticulously planned to use these moments to submit handwritten petitions of their problems and demands. The greater part of Chatra is an area of darkness and poverty, metaphorically and quite literally.

“The important thing to me is that there is an air of expectation. Overwhelmed by their enthusiasm and the way they came out despite call for bandh I decided to spend more time with them,” Munda told The Pioneer on late Monday evening in Girridih Circuit House.     

Twice during selected media briefing on Monday morning Munda called Chatra as one of the most challenging areas of Jharkhand in terms of impact of Maoism and scar underdevelopment.

“While I have assigned my ministers to supervise different districts, I personally felt I should look after Chatra. It is one of the critical and challenging districts. It is a big responsibility,” Munda said.

“I wanted to break certain misunderstandings about Chatra that’s why I decided night stay here. I know they are underdeveloped. Development works have been started but it is not up to desired pace. Roads are not good,” Munda said. No sooner have you started to drive along the Balbal-Katkamsandi it deposits you in the ditch, dream shoved into a familiar Jharkhandi nightmare: the rutted road.

District officials have stopped or seldom visit interior areas where a visit is a kind of excursion into a living museum of the 18th century or thereabouts. Prosperity has taken a back seat for the cultivation of poppy as Maoists have captured thousands acres of land in the deep interiors of Lawalong and others that police and administration deny.

An awareness message to eradicate polio painted several monsoons ago in one of the villages in Itkhori, a forlorn foundation stone whose plaque was removed many years back, the poster of Vidya Balan of Dirty Picture film pasted over a MNREGA wage-list; in these parts you can probably understand them for thinking a starlet is more achievable than a daily wage.

“I have come to know that around 19 doctors have been reported absent from their duty. Actions will be taken against them. We need more doctors here. I have sought a detailed report over the requirements,” Munda said.        

Block Development Officers of Kunda and Lawalong blocks have now stopped visiting their block office out of naxal fear; they now operate from safer areas Simariya. “That’s why I called Chatra as a critical area. I am serious on these issues. I am not defending anybody,” Munda said.

Chatra consumes less energy because it has less power supply. The ambitious North Karnpura Power project inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004 in Chatra was short-circuited by the Centre before it could produce even a unit. “Centre first acquired lands and evicted people for the project and now says that power project is not feasible because the site have the deposit of coals. Either central government starts the project or I will lead people’s demonstration in Delhi,” Munda said during inauguration of power grid at Itkhori.

Leave talking about any centre of excellence for education in Chatra — though Munda promised a model college soon — its schools are dilapidated. “It is surprising that despite sanction for the construction of an extra 577 school rooms works have not been started. I am annoyed,” Munda told The Pioneer.

Before leaving to Giridih via road — yet another troubled destination — Munda visited Bhadrakali temple. “I will visit Chatra again to see whether development works and welfare projects have been started or not,” Munda said. That probably will be the third myth of Chatra: that welfare flew after CM visit.

CNT issue gives new lease of life to politically spent fuels

CNT issue gives new lease of life to politically spent fuels




VIJAY DEO JHA




RANCHI Those who are shunted on the sidelines of politics and those who are nourishing dream careers in politics seem to be in perilous flirtation with the CNT Act with their tongue freshly dipped in vile. The actual debate over the utility and viability of this century old act has lost somewhere in the war cry and ominous threats of those who have been writing script of Domicile part II in Jharkhand.




Its (The row over CNT Act) spine is a notorious and malign political legacy that even its one-time partisans are loath to invoke — the violent Domicile controversy raised during Chief Ministerial regime of Babulal Marandi in 2002. Two major national political parties; the BJP heading coalition government and the Congress forming Opposition, have been hesitant to take definite stand either to press for a change in the format of this act to according to the need of the time or to keep it in its original form; except advocating an all party meeting over the issue. Circumstances have given rise to spent political forces to fill-up the vacuum right from former MP Salkhan Murmu, Suraj Mandal, and Shailendra Mahto, one time tribal veteran Suraj Singh Besra, Prabhakar Tirkey and others who are opposed to any change in the act. They say the act was brought the British government and amended later on by Centre to protect lands of tribal and backwards people.




Despite they having a fair and unquestioned record to champion tribal rights in Jharkhand the ongoing controversy seem to have given them a chance to make a comeback in the politics. Though, they refute the very charge. “We are fighting against land mafia and conscience keeper of corporate houses who are conspiring to annul the act to grab lands of tribal and backwards. Is it a crime? Do you think that we are trying to revive our political base? I won’t mind if you think so,” Murmu said. CNT Act Bachao Sangarsh Samiti (Committee to save CNT Act) was hurriedly formed and a meeting was held in Ranchi few days back that ended with less dialogue and more deadlocks and dire consequences. They have announced grand felicitation of the Land Revenue Minister and JMM leader Mathura Mahto for his pro-CNT stands. The basic questioned remained answered whether the act has helped land rich poor tribal so far.




Chances are the decibels will pierce ears in the coming day. Jharkhand Bachao Sangarsh Samiti joined the whole discourse whose head Uday Shankar Ojha claiming to be interest keeper of 80 per cent of people announced possibility of civil war in Jharkhand is lurking over CNT issue. The samiti announced to hold demonstration at Raj Bhavan against CNT Act. “Nobody thinks about 80 per cent of population of Jharkhand who can’t purchase lands due to strict prohibitions of the Act. Aren’t they the citizen of Jharkhand?” he said. A product of domicile controversy 2002, Ojha who had contested and lost the Hatia election as Lok Jansakti party candidate is known more for his sturdy physique rather than any sound and serious mental disposition. “It is an extremely sensitive and volatile issue,” a senior government official said.




“We must tread with extreme care and ensure people have no misgivings or misapprehensions over the Act. The way some of them are calling confrontation it is not a good sign. We must be cautious not to allow another domicile,” he added. The domicile controversy 2002 is a bad memory for spilling blood and spoiling social harmony. A small time leader in 2002 -- Bandhu Tirkey -- had made best use out of the domicile controversy and became an MLA. CNT controversy is tempting many to make a comeback in politics and inspiring many to polish their CV.

Lost in dilemma Lalu admits mistakes but quite a few 


VIJAY DEO JHA 
RANCHI 


Three chairs placed in a row on the verandah of the Railway’s Official Rest House, the middle being occupied by sahib with stretched legs and leaders of lesser entity battling to occupy chairs on the flank; pretending an ear-to-ear talk with sahib to flaunt closeness. That’s poignant and painful paradox of being RJD chief Lalu Prasad who once never allowed anybody, except a few, to sit along with him when he had ruled Bihar like his kingdom. 


He would have snubbed them even today, but then he is passing through the darkest hours of his political life. Two successive electoral drubbings in Bihar at the hand of JD (U)’s Nitish Kumar, the latter more ruthless and his anxious followers are worried that the next jolt might well deliver the party from escalating coma to burial if steps are not taken to reestablish party’s base. He is the only RJD asset and party’s biggest drawback too. 


Not long back, Lalu Prasad’s visit in Jharkhand used to summon flood of party workers; but the crowd that turned during his three-day stay in Ranchi seemed to be questioning his charisma. Barely a handful attended him, as he was in the city in connection with the hearing of the fodder case by the CBI court where he stands as an accused. Though Lalu admits having made mistakes with an exclusive interview with The Pioneer correspondent Vijay Deo Jha, but remained silent on his piles of post electoral mistakes for having left his party in a directionless drift in Bihar and elsewhere. “Bahut mistake kiya hai. Mistake kiya tabhi na Nitish jeeta,” (I have made a lot of mistakes. Nitish Kumar won just because of my mistakes), Lalu admits. 


 Q After defeat in the last assembly election you left Patna. Your party had requested to spend more time in Patna to keep lantern flame alive. You rather delegated the job to Ram Chandra Purvey. The RJD is not responding as a credible Opposition. You even did not turn-up on the foundation ceremony of your party last year. 


 A True, I have not visited much parts of Bihar after the election. I will start visiting very soon. I had announced six month moratorium on agitational activity to give fair time to Nitish to fulfill the promises he made with the public after electoral mandate against my party. Now see, corruption cases have started surfacing. Scam reported in enrolment in the school. We will reply the government. Purvey is a veteran leader, I have faith on him. 


 Q But period of moratorium have extended beyond year and your party workers are getting restive. Your LJP partner Ram Vilas Paswan is much more active in comparison. 


A  I am introspecting what went wrong with the party and why voters became annoyed with us. We will make a come back. 


 Q What have been the mistakes? 


A  Ka sab ginayeji mistake to hua hai bahut mistake kiya. Congress se sambandh todna sab se bada mistake tha, how many mistakes should I list? Severing tie with the Congress was my biggest political mistake. Both RJD and the Congress have same electoral base. But we got divided that helped Nitish to win. I accept that some of my policies were wrong. 


Q  Are you getting jealous over Nitish’s popularity index? Even he has made a dent in your vote banks. Has not he shifted goal-posts of electoral politics from vote banks to governance issues? 


A Nitish is a pretender. What kind of popularity are you talking about, which has been generated by the media? He funds the media in crores to manage it. Media does not publish any news that goes against him. He is despot who has mastered the art of fabrication. He is fooling people through Seva Yatra. Nitish is the product of socialist movement. But he sat in the lap of communal party, BJP. When the history of Bihar will be written Nitish will named as an opportunist. 


Q But within your party you have been facing criticism for your style of functioning and serial lapses of the party. Leaders like Nawal Kishore Rai and Raghuvansh Prasad Singh openly questioned you. 


A. Ours is a democratic party and everybody has the right to raise their voice. What’s wrong in it?  


Q. Then why Rai was show-caused who opposed your decision to christen RJD’s headquarters at Rouse Avenue in Delhi as “Rabri Bhawan” on the name of your wife? 


A. If it does not happen then how you people will get the news. 


Q Have you finally asked your wife to take charge of kitchen? She is reported to be quite unwilling to be in the politics. 


A  Kitchen is a vital part of the domestic life of a house wife. But who says that she is out of politics. She was Chief Minister of Bihar and like me she is addicted to politics.

Lalu Prasad and Vijay Deo Jha picture by Ratan Lal

Winds of change blow in sleepy Jhargaon
VIJAY DEO JHA
JHARGAON (GUMLA)

Turn left to Gumla-Lohardaga road at Toto Jhargaon village and there is a tempting halt where, since the past two years, a silent socio-economic revolution has been taking place without giving Google and the Government slightest hint about it.

Selected under National Convergence Programme a joint scheme of the Indian Government and the United Nation’s Development Project as ‘model village’ in January 2010 Jhargaon offers many reasons to wonder what, what’s it that’s happening? The village ‘something’s happening’ place.
Things are happening and changing this way. There is a village parliament having its Prime Minister Charjren Kuzur and her cabinet; ministering affairs of the village that has taken unanimous decision not to depend on government’s dole for sustenance. The village having population of 1195, 260 households mostly tribal and backward caste there was around 145 families listed in BPL category in 2010. “No fresh application was made last year. In fact we have planned to return our BPL cards to the government by the next year. We don’t need it. We want to prosper on our own,” Kuzur said.
The first stop to the school was an arresting moment. A school freshly of painted brickwork, its walls an entertaining fiasco quotes and lessons and sprawling beautiful garden. Girls and boys standing in a row for daily prayer looking like a long single-files like blue less unfurling, all neatly uniformed. They cavorting in the corridors or chanting lessons aloud in their classes or supping midday meal that served well ahead of mid-day in a swept school yard.

“Sir, two years back there were only 35 students were enrolled who never turned to the classes. But now there are 140 students. They are very brilliant sir,” a man who later introduced himself as “Myself Dipendra Kumar Chaudhary teacher of this school” said.

Asked is s it one day show or happens daily? “Happens daily. “Happens daily, Sir,” Chaudhary replies. John Joseph Benjamin Gumla district planning officer explains how this wonder happened. “We held regular meeting with the villagers to make them aware of the importance of education. Many parents resisted to send their children on the ground that their children are to graze their cattle. Village parliament then hired a person with suitable monthly payment to manage their cattle. Now they realize importance of education.”

The village where literacy rate staggered around 10 percent years back is now boasting 100 percent literacy. “At least people now can sign and write their name. Their thumbs are no more stained with ink,” observes Jolgas Kuzur, a farmer.
Happens daily? “Happens daily, Sir,” Master Dilip Singh replied. Jhargaon has been observing total prohibition with tipplers like Soma Oraon — whose habit to guzzle gallon of liquor a day made him infamous as tanker, were either counseled, criticized or canned to leave their habit.

Something’s happening that has fuelled their economic prospect. Unlettered Minjuwa Oraon (30) showed them the way that their fallow and barren field too can yield bumper crops. “Last year he obtained four and half acre of land on lease for farming and lifted water from a nearby water source. This has induced farmers into cash crops and others. Besides we took them on exposure visit. Thing is that they have tasted development and everybody wants to develop and prosper,” Subeer Kumar Das, district facilitator of the UNISEF India said. The village has recently established milk collection centre Gokul Dham to add into it.

The country is slowly getting burnished to gold with the paddy stalks ripening and the government has come with paddy collection centre LAMPS to purchase with support price. All it came with little governmental support of a total of Rs 22 lakhs. But the way Jhargaon emerged as model for another 35 villages of Gumla included in the scheme; left Ibrahim Hussain; Asia chief of the UNDP Germany to remark ‘something is happening here.’ Saplings have been planted on 56.5 acre of land under ‘National Horticulture Mission.’ When rest of Gumla submerges in darkness at night; streets and roads of Jhargaon glow by solar lamps. A couple of years back there was no road to speak of; it felt like being shoved about at the back of a tractor. Progress was slow and tortuous. The district administration has recommended the village for Rastriya Gaurab Gram Sabha award. Something’s happening.

Graphic by Bapi Choudhwry



A politician who writes like retired spy

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

Writing a book over scams and inside story of power corridor are essential post retirement plans of bureaucrats and bosses of investigative agencies. Look at this way, senior BJP leader Saryu Roy is neither of the two. But his book Madhu Koda Loot Raj over the loot in regime of former chief Minister Madhu Koda over the globe, whose estimate heist staggers beyond Rs 4000 crore. The book to be released by veteran leader Subramanian Swamy on Sunday, has already gathered attention of critic, connoisseurs and skeptical about the findings and frauds that this book is about to bring.

On Friday Koda moved an interlocutory application in the Jharkhand High Court seeking ban on the release of the book pleading the book will tarnish his image — already besmirched. The court directed him to approach a fresh, on Monday, and by this time the book will already reach to hundreds of hands. “It will be a historic document I believe. All these years I have collected facts and documents to expose corruption during the Madhu Koda raj. I raised this matter inside and outside of the state assembly. It is in the book form,” Roy said.

At least a couple of classified information makes the book interesting to read like three phase transfer of money done by Koda and Co in the foreign countries and how the group formed Golden Bird Company and tried to register it at the NASDAQ stock market.

Former Central Vigilance Commissioner Pratyush Sinha has written the forwarding making corruption as key point of concern damaging the body politics of the nation. Should one believe all what Roy has written? Did he indeed remain neutral and honest by pounding Koda and Co. into pulp only in his investigative catharsis while making only a partial reference to those who controlled Koda and baptized him in corruption?
Writing prologue Roy owns responsibilities for what he has written. “On August 28, 2008 I had held a press conference with documentary evidences about corruptions in awarding mining lease, scams in rural electrification and the way over the years, one time petty politician and crooked swindled millions and billions from the state coffer, until Durga Oraon filed Public Interest Investigation for a throughout probe,” he claimed.

Published by the Prabhat Publication the book spreads over 320 pages divided in six chapters the book offers a deep insight into corruption, its modus oprendi and people involved.

Those who know him and those who actually faced burnt out of his Machiavellian faculty and his ability to gather details of corruptions and shady deals would hardly dispute his claim. He haunts memory of former Bihar Chief Minister and an accused in infamous Rs 950 crore fodder scam case after he hounded the case like a sniffer. A member of Legislative Council of undivided Bihar from 1998 to 2004 he shifted his political base to Jharkhand later on. A relieved Lalu Yadav had quipped: “Rahat mili ki biskhopra ab Bihar se gaya ab wah Jharkhand udham machayega, (feel relieved after devil mind has shifted from Bihar. Now he will raise hackle in Jharkhand.)” Some even despise him as a devil version and a prototype of Subramanian Swamy in Jharkhand for their matching ability to sniff corruption.

For him criticism is a kind of compliment that he happily accepts even if some blame him a vested and sponsored crusader against corruption.

But the way he pursued Koda case and exposed details of corruptions and deal from one press conference to another and regular press release it gave speculations some ground: who supplies him these details, whether he is more efficient than smarter investigative agencies. “I have good friends who help me…sometimes my intuition guide me,” Roy said.

You name an accused of the Koda scam case and he gives the details of their deeds. Call it an obsession or his observation Roy does not mind.

Hand over maps to Jharkhand; centre prods Nitish
Ranchi
Goaded by the Centre the Bihar government has finally woken up to address the concern of Jharkhand over land records and maps stashed at Bihar’s Land Revenue Department.
Though, Humkum Singh Meena Director land Record of Bihar Government sought time to go into the details of the dispute as he took over the charge of the department recently but top sources in the land Revenue confided matter has been placed before the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
“We have received communication from the Centre and the Jharkhand government. The file has been placed before the Chief Minister and a meeting is likely to be held after he completes his Seva Yatra,” the official said.
The same was confirmed by Land Revenue Minister of the Bihar government Ramai Ram in a hushed overture. “It will soon be resolved. We are in touch with our Jharkhand counterpart,” Ram told the pioneer over telephone but refused to share details of the status of the case.
Eleven years after its formation Jharkhand has still not been able to keep its land records straight owing to the apathy of Big Brother Bihar that did not handover original maps to Jharkhand. Around 82000 land maps are lying unattended at the Gulzarbag Printing Press, Patna.
Twice in the last one year Chief Minister Arjun Munda shot missives to his Bihar counterpart and called attention of the Centre over unsupportive response of the Bihar government all these years. Munda had specifically raised the matter with the Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh during his Jharkhand visit. Centre is reported to have instructed the Bihar government to handover the maps to Jharkhand have asked to handover maps to Jharkhand. The absence of proper land records have been proving boon for racketeers to indulge in massive land scams like in Deoghar and Ranchi.
“We are soon going to send a delegation of officials to resolve the matter with our Bihar counterpart. I personally visited Bihar with the request and have dropped several missives. Now we have approached the Centre to intervene in this matter,” Jharkhand Land and Revenue Minister Mathura Mahto said.
Official sources in the state Land Revenue Department said that due to non-transfer of maps proposed drive for digitalised land record e-khatiyan has suffered badly. The problem is acute in districts sharing boarder of Bihar. “We are running beyond the deadline. We are lacking in modernization of land records under National Land Record Modernisation Programme,” the official said. In 2005-06 fiscal year Centre had granted Rs five crore to Jharkhand under this head. So far only two districts — Jamshedpur and Lohardaga have computerized land record while Centre granted more funds for Koderma, Pakur, Dumka and Dhanbad. But in the absence of land maps the state department has been able to digitalize barely 8,000 land maps.

Flaunted then, condemned now!
Dozens of government vehicles gather dust at Secretariat and Assemvly

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

Ministers and officials may differ and doubt even on policy matter involving larger public interest but they unanimously feel that public interest can better be served swiftly and effectively provided they are given swanky and swift vehicles.
Bowing before popular ministerial belief the cabinet last year ordered to procure 12 ‘Tata Safari Top Model’ each costing around Rs 13 to add glamour in the ministerial convoy forcing their official vehicles ‘Ford Endeavour’ into a premature state of condemnation.
Nobody loves Government of India’s gazetted sturdy bodied Ambassador now, Ford Endeavour enamours no more and Baleno VXI is a belated love story.
Stranding on the premise of state secretariat the official vehicle of Science and Technology Minister Chnadra Prakash Chaudhary JH 01N-8233 of Ford Endeavour make; is facing dust and ravage of weather, unattended; amid the fleet of around three dozen of equally condemned official vehicles. And nobody knows as to when and who dumped it there.
“The minister is now using Tata Safari probably. From past couple of week this vehicle has been left unattended here,” a security man said.
Though the minister is reported to be the most vocal one to demand new vehicle but he was not an isolated voice. One first time minister from the BJP quota had made similar demand. A heavy weight minister ventured father and forceful kept official vehicle of his one of his subordinates for a month and more finding it more swift and cozy.
In the race for costly flaunt of high tech vehicles the state secretariat looks like a dreary graveyard of condemned vehicles with frustrating counts of numbers. So is the case with premise of the Jharkhand State Assembly. Mostly these are Ambassador cars probably purchased during the formation of Jharkhand in year 2000 as their registration series numbers suggest — JH01A, JH10K, JH 01C, JH 01 C. Around 30 to 40 vehicles were purchased by the state government for officials and secretaries. At least 10 vehicles bearing the registration number of Bihar state might run beyond the prescribed limit of 15 years. “But you can’t say about rest of these. Send it to mechanic it can be used again. Some of these are still in the running condition. But when government is ready to buy new fleet every year who cares for old,” said an official.
Another 10 vehicles can be found parked on the premise of Jharkhand State Assembly with series of registration number ranging from JH 01A to JH 01B and JH 01AJ. A brand new Tata Qualis—JH01C 9367 does not deem fit to be deserved to be declared condemned. These vehicles will be finally auctioned at a throw away price for prospective buyers to turn it into running conditions by spending Rs 30000 to Rs 50000. “Some months back the Law Department had published tender for the auction of condemned vehicles. There is no central pool of condemned vehicles these vehicles belong to different departments. So it is very tough to say anything,” a senior official of the Finance Department said.
Back to the purchase of 15 plush Ford Endeavour vehicles in 2006 which were purchased by diverting huge fund of Rs 40 crore provided by the Centre for police modernization in Jharkhand, the decision which faced criticism. The government later on purchased 15 Ford Endeavours and 21 Balenos, the total cost working up to Rs 15 crore, in the name of creating a vehicle pool for VIPs despite it had enough vehicles.
The state and the ministers have tradition to change their vehicles even under minor glitch. A former health Minister had not liked his official vehicles Ambassador car — JH 01A 2515 and JH 01A 1514 which was declared condemned within three years of its purchase. It is one of the reasons as to why count of condemned has been on the rise.