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. 

Deal, dementia and drama over power pact

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI 

This ongoing spat over power rotation between coalition partners in the government—BJP and JMM — is in fact a nicely scripted drama of dementia: each accusing other critical memory loss about terms and conditions which both agreed before forming government in September 2010.

The JMM chief Shibu Soren has been asserting the BJP agreed rotation of CM’s post between alliance partners, 28 months each. Threatening BJP to pull out of the government if the BJP keeps pretending about the deal, Soren said that National President Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister Arjun Munda were parties to it.

The BJP is piqued over Soren’s repeated poke but at this moment the party would not like to court any quarrel with him. The BJP has repeatedly punctured holes in his claim giving elaborate reasons.

“No such deal was discussed or agreed. I am not aware of what kind of deal JMM has been talking about,” state BJP president Dineshnanda Goswami said.

Another top BJP leader refreshing his memory about government formation exercise that year claimed further. According to him central BJP leadership were critical towards the JMM freshly approaching the BJP to form government after an annoyed BJP withdrew support from Soren led JMM-BJP-AJSU Party-JD (U) coalition government in May 2010 following Soren’s decision of supporting UPA government on Cut Motion.

“BJP leadership had curtly told JMM that the party will form government without any pre-condition including rotation of CM’s post. There is no doubt about it,” the leader said.

Is Soren claiming out of nothing? Or he is misrepresenting the fact? “He might be referring to one such understandings of power sharing which both the parties agreed upon when BJP and JMM first decided to form government in January 2010,” the leader said. BJP senior Raghuwar Das who was deputy CM in the Soren led government, might be aware of that winter deal. But he prefers not to speak.

Soren himself is confident but sounds bit confusing. He had told The Pioneer that the deal exists on paper signed by him and other BJP leaders. But he told the media the deal was verbal. Over the statement of his father; Deputy CM Hemant Soren had initially sought refuse behind his own poor memory saying he did not know or remember anything about power pact.

Many in the political circle and the JMM as well, would refer senior Soren as a man suffering from slight amnesia. “My leader has not forgotten anything. He has a very sharp memory. It is for the BJP leaders to remember their promise,” Soren’s close aide Vinod Pandey said.  

Does one such agreement exists or not is the central theme of the drama and both parties demand each other to press refresh button on their memory.

Das honoured with Distinguished Legislator award

Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi

BJP firebrand MLA of Jamshedpur (East) Raghuwar Das conferred with Distinguished Legislator award for year 2012 during a ceremony at State Assembly on Thursday. He received memento and cash Rs 51,000 from Governor Syed Ahmed.

“This is a big honour for me. Honour comes with more responsibility. It has inspired me to devote my life to serve people of my constituency and Jharkhand,” Das told the media after receiving award.

A special committee of the assembly headed by Speaker CP Singh adjudged him for this award among 82 MLAs of the assembly, the decision to which was announced on Wednesday. Along with Das, assembly’s Under Secretary Vipin Bihari, Chief Superintendent Jageshwar Singh and Driver Ravi Oraon were also awarded for their commendable service. 

Das has been representing the Jamshedpur (East) constituency the past three terms as BJP nominee. The thing that probably helped him to retain this seat despite political and electoral odds is that he remained attached to people and raised their problems on all possible forum. Known for his best organizing capability central BJP leadership appointed him state president whenever it felt the need to energize the state unit. Serving state BJP as president twice he managed electoral success of the party in assembly as well as parliamentary elections.

He served as Urban Development Minister in the Arjun Munda led BJP government and Deputy Chief Minister in the Shibu Soren led JMM-BJP-AJSU-JD (U) coalition government in 2010. During 2010 assembly election he was instrumental behind forging a post-poll alliance with the JMM.

58-years-old Das started his political career as member of Chhatra Sangharsh Wahini of Jay Prakash Narayan and took part in JP movement. He served jail terms for taking part in the JP movement. He, later on, joined the BJP.  His one time political mentor PN Singh had once told The Pioneer that Das to him appeared a keen student public oriented politics. “He was very disciplined and energetic and he always displayed capability to rise swiftly in politics,” Singh had told The Pioneer.

Many consider him a blunt and man of rough political edge sans sophistication. Das smiles in agreement over the charges. It is probably because of his theological belief in the teaching of saint Kabir that makes him a man of anti-establishment. “I belong to this sect. Saheb (Kabir) was himself blunt in admitting truth,” he said.

When rest in the state politics would fight shy in demanding radical amendments in the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act he would demand it from public platform. When few will whisper about a non-tribal chief minister in Jharkhand he can be heard loud and clear. He would keep fighting for a balanced Domicile Policy for Jharkhand when radical tribal groups are demanding stringent provisions. “You can’t develop the State within narrow ethnic and regional framework. We need to break it. Jharkhand belongs to all, tribal and non-tribal alike,” he said.

Continuously fighting against Tata Steel establishment for the settlement of unauthorized colonies in Jamshedpur he has been demanding better civic facilities for the people. 

Congress plans parallel show over Panem during session

Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) chief Babulal Marandi has grand plans for the Winter Session of Assembly. Coming soon, is a solo show of the Panem drama. But hoots, and not whistles, are likely to greet his ‘first day-first show’ as the coalition allies in the galleries close ranks against him. Five days’ winter session will commence on Friday. 

All eyes are rivet on the Congress whether the party will watch him as audience with plaudits or subtly encourage coalition’s boo-boo brigades. But the Congress has clarified that it will run a parallel show over Panem in the assembly and not going to let Marandi steal the show.

“The Congress party is concerned the way the Panem Coal Mines Limited has fooled people. In fact Marandiji has tried to grab this movement which was started by the Congress. We are not the B party of the JVM. The JVM, in fact, is pretending to speak about the public cause,” state Congress in-charge and MP Sakil Ahmed told The Pioneer.

But the Congress has developed dangerous faultline within the party over Panem issue. Party leader Stephen Marandi has courted ire and a commission of inquiry has just been instituted upon him for allegedly inviting Marandi to join his movement. But Stephen in a clarification given to central party leaders has explained that he had never invited Marandi. Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Asha Sinha is scheduled to visit Ranchi on Friday to report whether Stephen is guilty on this count and public spat between Stephen and group supporting state party president Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu.

Congress and JVM brick bating each other, but the BJP led JMM, AJSU and JD (U) ruling allies seem to have prepared defense line to counter Opposition at least on Panem.

“If the Opposition has plans to stall assembly session we know how to answer them. The very motive behind this movement, political or personal, is under question. It is an attempt to create trouble and confusion in the mind of people,” Land and Revenue Minister Mathura Mahato said.

But Panem is not the single knife that the Opposition is sharpening against the government. There are Nagari controversy, displacement issue and many others that Opposition can use to surround the government. The BJP legislative body meeting is scheduled on December 3. But the ruling allies are yet to hold a joint meeting to chalk out floor strategy.  

“I can tell you about the preparation of my departments. But I am not aware of larger strategy to face the Opposition,” Tourism, Child and Women Development Department Minister Vimla Pradhan said.

The ruling alliance is more interested in keeping the session short and simple to get odds numbers of bills passed amid rancor.

Common man’s leader who hates frill and tamasha

Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi  

When rest of his tribe scurry for blaring flotilla of vehicles, protocols and siren fitted pilot cars Assembly Speaker CP Singh flings a very simple notion: “I can do without it.”

“I don’t think a public representative needs all these,” except if they wish to flaunt their new acquired position as earthy God who decides the fate of the state.” Singh is probably the only politician who moves without caravan of vehicles and pilot car. Except under extreme condition he would allow a pilot car, a maximum.

When he became Assembly Speaker on January 6, 2010; he had summoned the then Ranchi SSP Praveen Kumar Singh with a request to remove wires of the siren of his official vehicle.

He has been in politics from past four decades and won from Ranchi assembly seat numbers of time just because of his popularity and people friendly image. Nothing has changed in him except he has become toothless and partially bald. “I never liked all these. I belong to them. I want to move freely.”

He holds a constitutional post of Speaker of the house and many wished him to maintain the aura of the post. Aura to them meant, Singh should not freely mix with people and avoid attending public gatherings. Singh bluntly rebuffed those suggestions saying he won’t accept such constitutional boloney.

“Kabhi kabhi bandish mahsoos karta hun jo mujhe pasand nahi, (sometimes I feel restrained which I don’t like).” If proof requires for Singh’s demolition job on such restrains he offers register of his daily itinerary. A Billu barber wants him to inaugurate his roadside hair cutting salon. A poor paanwala wants him to stop at his shop to chew paan sometimes. Youths would urge him for financial assistance to renovate library. A poor father requests him to attend marriage ceremony of his daughter.  And he obliges all. He makes it sure to offer token help to poor parents in the marriage of their daughters. “The amount could be anything,” he keeps it secret.   

A mere call of commoners requesting his attention towards issue of larger public interest or that of the highhandedness of administration and police is enough for him—fighter in Speaker out.

This winter anti-encroachment squad of Ranchi Police had thrown and thrashed a woman, poor fruit seller, near Ranchi University. Singh pitched a sit on demonstration at police station at midnight till the guilty cops and officials pleaded apology for misbehave.

Many in the administration and government grumble Singh resorting to agitation and taking on the street is not in sync with his constitutional role as Speaker. Singh returns with equal retort: “Does any provision in the Constitution exists that would stop a Speaker from discharging his duty as public representative. Why should be they targeted and removed without arrangement?”

Does Singh really feel suffocated and restrained as Speaker often losing his cool when he presides assembly session? Whenever Treasury bench and Opposition attack each other with predatory swiftness he plays peaceniks often summoning his best wits to boil down the fever. But then he strictly wants to follow Business Rule of the House. “On some moments I lose my cool over unruly behaviour when Business Rule is ignored and members put the House on ransom,” he said. But then he is knows that a Speaker is also punching bag who patiently swings both sides after each blow.

All these years, Singh remained one of the most respectable public voices who has grilled and screwed governments over public issue. Who knows Singh wishes to occupy same old seat. 

Low key Sahay fears coalgate backlash after Vijaydashmi

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

The ticking time-bomb of Union cabinet reshuffle, believed to explode anytime after President Pranab Mukherjee returns to the Raisina Hills after Vijaydashmi celebration, has left Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay shaken and even spoiling his festival mood that neither Sahay nor his men would accept publicly.

His office has been receiving requests from different organisations; seeking time of minister to inaugurate puja pandals here in Ranchi. “Within couple of days list will be finalized. He will inaugurate odd numbers of them,” said Sahay’s media coordinator Ravichand Kapoor.

But, his other close aide reeked concern of the minister quite tellingly, Sahay is quite unsure about his position in the cabinet. Delhi’s power portal has started buzzing lately about impending cabinet reshuffle after September 25. “Politics me utha patak chalta hai lekin aise nahi. Kisi ko bura lagega wah bhi puja ke time me,” Sahay’s one of the close aide confided. 

The report of proposed cabinet rejig, the next week, is spreading like virus after Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi met the President. Top Congress sources claimed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had summoned Sahay last month and advised him to be prepared to face the ire. Singh believed to be quite unhappy over Sahay’s subterfuge and repeated show of innocence towards moral wrongdoing which he did by recommending coal blocks to the company SKS Ispat and Power Ltd where his younger brother Sudhir Sahay is a director while keeping PM in dark. A couple of other ministers are also likely to be asked to step down during reshuffle. 

But Sahay has been a desperate man who has made three unsuccessful attempts to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi, her political advisor Ahmed Patel in the past one month to pleaded innocence in a bid to save his chair.

But a top central Congress leader hinted that proposed cabinet reshuffle could not be a very straight affair and the party can’t risk drops-out sulking without accommodating them in party organization.

“Such things are under deliberation. Sahay might be in the drop out list. Cabinet reshuffle and organizational overhaul will go simultaneously keeping in mind general election of 2014,” the leader said.

Sonia Gandhi is likely to reshuffle central organization of the Congress party by the end of this month or the next month. Rahul Gandhi during his two day Jharkhand tour last month had indicated probable change of guard of the state unit. Sahay would lobby for the post of state party president to compensate the loss of ministerial post.

Sahay’s impending departure from cabinet is eagerly awaited by his rival faction headed by state party president Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu who does not stop smiling when asked about his proposed induction in the cabinet. And who knows Balmuchu would not have not ordered a new suit for oath taking ceremony.

When a reluctant and shaky Sahay would be busy inaugurating Puja pandals here in Ranchi his counterpart Balmuchu will be in Delhi to confirm his cabinet prospect. He is slated to visit Delhi on Friday.

Visiting these odd numbers of Puja pandal; Sahay will surely seek blessing from Goddess against feared guillotine. But he needs political blessings as well. 

JFDC bids for a hush-hush deal

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

The intent of Jharkhand Forest Development Corporation (JFDC) to make purchase of solar powered water pumps, solar lights and lamps worth Rs 9.5 crore from Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (JREDA) without adhering to bidding process has left many baffled and to believe that another scam is in the making.

The meeting of the JFDC board on Friday gave nod to the purchase. The Pioneer is in the possession of the copy of the agenda of the meeting that does not suggest any prior official deliberations and process under which JREDA was nominated as supplier. Under the Company Act, it is mandatory to provide copy of the agenda to the members at least a week before. But here the copy was circulated barely 12 hours before the meeting that gives credence to the doubt, sources said.

Under proposal (Item No. 28/10) JFDC proposes to establish solar powered water pumps with the help of JREDA in the selected 60 villages of Jharkhand with estimated cost of Rs 3.67 crore.

Under Item No. 28/12 JFDC wishes to install 180 solar powered street lights in selected 60 villages in Jharkhand with estimated cost of Rs 0.09 crore. Under Item No. 28/13 JFDC proposes to purchase 80,000 solar powered lanterns for each family involved in  collecting Kendu leaves with the help of JREDA. The total cost involves is Rs 6.08 crore. Each lantern under proposal will cost Rs 850. JFDC Managing Director BR Rallan defended the decision saying that JREDA will supply the equipments under subsidized cost. Though, JFDC being a semi governmental organization, it does not require cabinet approval or prior permission from the government. But, the financial by-law of corporation puts certain riders: bidding first nomination later.

A top official of the Finance Department said: “Since JFDC is a semi-governmental organization mobilizing its own resources may not require prior permission for such purchase. But then, the Supreme Court in one of its decision has categorically said that purchase on the nomination basis should be done in the rare cases. Bidding process is the thumb rule.”

And these rare situations for purchase under nomination basis are: if the said company is either sole custodian of that particular product or sole manufacturer or if the government is running short of time to float tender. 

JREDA might have assured supply on subsidized price but it is not the manufacturer of solar lamp and pump. “After all, JREDA will outsource the job to other party. You can’t rule out the possibility of other state run or private manufacturing units offering you products at cheap rate if bidding process is done,” another senior official said.

  

Sources in JFDC hinted that Rallan seems to have particular interest in this purchase and JREDA is his personal choice as prospective supplier.

“Nothing was discussed in the previous board meeting. The proposal was mooted and piloted by MD,” a senior official of JFDC said.

Form a panel and forget the issue!

Strap: Committees formed by JPCC lead nowhere

VIJAY DEO JHA / PRANAV PRATYUSH

Ranchi

For close to a year now Jharkhand Congress has been forming committee after committee to locate the roots of trouble in the party, but, committees have not come anywhere near to the address of the trouble.

In the last one year State Congress formed six committees with much hype; only to chuck it in the political dustbin, sometimes after, with ‘no-action-taken-over.’ In some of the cases the party even forgot that a committee was formed to address and ascertain trouble brewing in the party, in others it announced a committee that was never formed.

After a couple of Congress MLAs like Sawna Lakda and Yogendra Saw were caught on camera in ‘cash for vote scam’ during Rajya Sabha election, the party had announced to form a committee. Even if the party was caught in embarrassing situation it did not move an inch to fix responsibility.

A senior Congress leader gave a lighter explanation to this offering the grey side of the story. “We form committee on every matter. After all, the formation of a committee or a mere announcement gives the media a story,” he quipped.

A famous committee formed over Lakda to ascertain degree of his association in the murder case of a city boy was bundled before to reach to any conclusion. State Congress spokesperson Sailendra Singh defends the decision. “There was no need of the committee after Lakda was arrested and suspended from the party. Keeping such committees like this where law has taken its own course has no meaning,” he said.

But former Congress MLA Sukhdeo Bhagat is still in anxious wait of the report of seven member committee that was formed in the month of May after his name was dragged in a sleaze act. The committee comprising of Harinarayan Prasad, convener KS Chatterjee, Asiq Ansari, Kamta Prasad, PK Singh, Sahdeo Munda and Ramgopal Bhuwaniya has already submitted report to the state Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu. Action still awaits but many party insiders believed the reports contained less fact and more fiction to settle political score with Bhagat.

In the spate of the killing of the Congress workers a year back party had formed a committee comprising off Stephen Marandi, Radhakrishna Kishore and Niel Tirkey and Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Sahu to submit report over threat on the party workers. Except Sahu the committee members visited seven Maoist affected districts for fact finding. The committee submitted report with measures to be taken. Nobody knows the fate of the report and the action taken therein.

“When you are forming a committee its findings and actions must be taken seriously if you have honest intention to address the root of the problem. Problem with the party is that it lacks spine to face it,” a senior Congress leader observed.

After the party lost Jamshedpur parliamentary by-election amid razing war of words and mutual distrust; state Congress in-charge Sakil Ahmed had appointed senior party leader KN Jha to submit report over unruly party leaders. Party sources told this newspaper Jha has already submitted report to the Congress leader. But it is not in sync with angry announcement of Ahmed at a press conference that the report will be the last nail in the coffin trouble makers in the party.

The one man committee headed by RC Khutiya to study the cause of the rout of the party in Jamshedpur has yet to prepare a draft or to invite an in-camera debate. Khutiya in Ranchi on Thursday gives an opportunity to ask whether he found the address of the trouble.

With 55.27 polls third phase ends with naxal violence and clash

Vijay Deo Jha/ Shilpi

Ranchi  

Amid naxal-police ambush killing two BSF jawans in Shikaripara with bloody clash between the JMM and the Congress supporters in Dumka and some other sporadic incidents, third phase of the polling returned with 55.27 (tentative) per cent poll.

The Election Commission during the press briefing provided poll statistics by 3 pm on Tuesday after the election was over. But all 11 constituencies barring Bokaro crossed the half century mark of poll turn out.

Bokaro, the largest assembly constituency with maximum number of candidates (45) and voters (442947) remained quite low in poll percentage with 41 per cent total turn out, based on the information provided by the commission.

"It is the average percentage figures; the overall poll percentage is likely to improve to around 60 per cent. The picture will be clear by Wednesday," the chief electoral officer Devashish Gupta informed the media.

It is despite Maoist's call for the poll boycott voters trekked to polling booths in large number. But reporters pouring from different parts of these constituencies suggest cases of poll boycott, zero polling and very low polling at some of the polling stations. As for instance Jama where 52 per cent voters painted their nail with poll colour, the booth number 207 remained the high seat of poll boycott.

Reports from Chandankiyari confirm that at least two booths 27 and 28 respectively under Gayachhanda block went with a total poll 6 and 7 respectively. Nonodhawari in Dumka remained a naysayer.

At least five assembly constituencies namely Hazaribagh (56%), Bermo (55%), Shikaripara (55%), Dumka (59%) and Jarmundi (62%) reported robust polling with marked improvement in comparison with the last assembly elections.

But Dhanwar returning with 57 percent registered a marked decline of 4.87 per cent in comparison to the last assembly election. So is the case with Jamua (57%) and Bagodar (56%) which was in a different league. But the poll officials contended that the initial poll figures had no face value till a concrete picture emerges out.

The polling starting from the morning till 3 pm had a slow opening but the last two hours registered a marked improvement in voters turn out equally defying naxals who were ready to trigger a surprise terror. It was seen in Shikaripara when naxals killed two BSF jawans in an encounter in Chaipani forest area under Amradob area. 

The timely recovery of a landmine planted by suspected naxals in Bhelwaghati spared the day from any bloodbath. Red warning was pasted on the walls warning people against participating in the biggest festival of the country at different constituencies especially in Bagodar. In Dhanwar the supporters of CPI (ML) candidate and sitting MLA (Vinod Singh) and the Jharkhand Vikash Morcha clashed to each other leading to disruption of the poll at few booths for half an hour. 

Dumka remained the theatre of high political drama following the attacks on the camp office of the Congress at Rani Bahal by the supporters of the JMM candidate Hemant Soren last night. While the district administration registered an FIR against Hemant and 20 other people it had made elaborate arrangements for a peaceful poll in Dumka where the Congress has fielded Stephen Marandi.

In another incident the police arrested the JMM candidate sitting MLA from Maheshpur Sufal Marandi for disrupting poll. 

If the polling at 3396 booths of these constituencies is taken together the rural folk behaved responsibly rather than the urban constituents. Bokaro can be cited as an example.  

The third phase of the election has sealed the fate of state stalwarts including Stephen Marandi, Hemant Soren, former agriculture minister and the JMM nominee Nalin Soren, BJP's Ravindra Rai and others. It is yet to be decided whether Bagodar remains loyal with the CPI (ML) or sides with the RJD where party's state president Gautam Sagar Rana has been contesting. So is the case with Dhanwar which remained markedly quite over the choice of the colour of the flag--saffron and red. The BJP and the CPI(ML) are in a direct tussle.  

While the elections for the third phase over battle line has been drawn for another 14 seats that will poll on December 12.

Puja revelry makes Opposition indifferent to iron ore fines issue

Pranav Pratyush/Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi

They have virtually stopped the proceedings of the house staging silent protests after a stormy day in the State Assembly on the issue of conditional sale of iron ore fines during the recently concluded monsoon session. The vocal leaders of Opposition, who had forced the ruling coalition to announce review of its decision, appeared quite indifferent on the issue on Thursday after the State Cabinet decided to maintain status quo over the decision.

Although voices of protest were raised by a number of leaders from Congress, JVM and the Left parties separately, they seemed too busy with Durga Puja preparations rather than being united and take a firm stand on the issue.

“The decision is a ploy of the government to mislead the Assembly. When the Chief Minister had announced that the government would review the decision, there was no such haste to bring the issue for discussions in the cabinet,” said State Congress Spokesperson Shailesh Sinha.

“The act of the government inadvertently suggests that there is some sort of pressure on the ruling coalition from certain ‘unknown’ forces. Although several leaders of the party have been talking separately about the matter, we would sit again to discuss it after puja holidays,” Sinha added hinting that party leaders were engrossed in puja revelry.

Although, party chief Babulal Marandi were unavailable for their comments, legislative body leader of the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha Pradeep Yadav said that the government was being forced to take such decisions in the pressure of some industrialists. Despite the CM’s assurance such cabinet decisions make the fact very clear, he added.

 Another vocal leader Samresh Singh who had made hue and cry over the issue in the Assembly was ignorant about the decision. After being briefed about the cabinet decision Singh said, “The government is no more trustworthy. People do not have any faith in this government. We will take strong steps against the decision after Puja vacations.”

Echoing similar views CPI (ML) legislator Vinod Singh said, “This is a conspiracy to mislead the legislative house and the people of the State. The Government had assured that it would review the decision. If the word review means this kind of action then the government should not have misguided the people of the State.”

Alleging that the government was representing few capitalists in the State, Singh demanded issue of White Paper on the matter by the government and explanation as to what benefit the State would get with the decision.

It must be mentioned here that the decision of the government to grant conditional permission to private firms to sell iron ore fines outside the State has been reaffirmed in Wednesday’s Cabinet decision.

In search of scraps life ends!

VIJAY DEO JHA/Mukesh Ranjan

RANCHI

Life often comes at cheaper cost than these blind grenades and spent bullets which the poor collect from notified firing-ranges of security forces once after forces pack-off fusillading exercise.

Three boys of Sikhiya village under Hazaribagh district, Rahul Kumar, Ghulam Sahid and Ehsan Raza; got killed on Monday when they tried to extract metal out of a blind mortar which they had collected from BSF’s firing range situated near the village. It was one of the many missing blind mortars that remained unexploded and traceless for safe disposal by the BSF or security forces.

If the mortar would not have exploded them to death then any petty scrap deal would have happily paid them at least Rs 200 against half a kg metal: a mix of high grade aluminum, copper and nickel. They probably wanted to turn metal into money to regale and rejoice during Durga Puja festival but were sadly unaware of security risk involved.

In fact spent shells of 81 mm mortar and a 7.62 mm medium machine guns and likes have become the part of the economy of villages situated close to two firing-ranges in Hazaribagh at Sikhiya village and other at Silwar situated in foothills of Juljul Hill. Such stories have often been reported from many datelines of Jharkhand, and, equally come the story of tearful termination of life. But such deaths never stop people risking their life even if after horrific statistics of deaths in the past few years.

A few years back a 15-year-old boy died when he tried to extract metal out of an unexploded grenade close to the BSF’s firing range here. In 2007, an 11-year-old boy had met the same fate of Rahul and his friend. These are number of other instances which went unreported when people have sneaked in firing range and received bullets or splinters despite precaution taken by BSF and other security forces during routine practice firing.  Both the incidents had taken in Silwar firing zone.

Poor villagers from Pauhta, Berhampur, Dhawaiya and Chandwar Sitagarha, Merhetta, and others keep colleting empty cartridges and shells which they sell in the scrap market which fetch them Rs 300 and even more for one kg.

“We take best precaution before to start range firing. We inform local police and village sarpanchs beforehand and deploy at least seven sentries and seal all the routes to stop civilians straying in firing range,” a BSF official said.

Thrice a week range firing is conducted mostly by the BSF or by the CRPF, ITBP, Jharkhand Police and others. The BSF has an elaborate guideline and procedures to be followed before and after undertaking routine firing.

“Normally, we don’t collect spent shells. But we keep record of blind ammunitions. We detect it and defuse or explode it through artificial process to stop any casualty in future. But sometimes a couple of remain missing which is collected by people. It kills them when they dismantle it,” the official said. The official claimed that the BSF regularly educate local people about risks involved in collecting and dismantling spent or blind shells.

Village head of Sikhiya Jeev Narayan Ram blamed the BSF for neglecting elementary arrangements and demanded compensation to the family of deceased. But in search of metal scraps people visit firing-ranges is another side of story.

“It brings extra income for them. Metals extracted from spent shells and cartridges are sold in the local market. There are nearly 12 such villages situated around these two firing ranges where poor people use to collect metals. This is the mainstay of thousands of people who are poor,” an official said. Even local scrap deals reportedly deploy poor people, grown-ups and children as well. Picking few scraps they feel lucky and when it fate frowns at it ends their life.

Naxal crime graph declines, anti terrorist squad proposed

Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi

Reviewing law and order and anti-naxal operation in Jharkhand, the state police claimed ration of Maoist related violence has come down by 50 percent in Jharkhand in comparison with previous years.

The state police have proposed to set-up a specialized anti-terrorist squad in Jharkhand owing to the fact that in the last couple of years Jharkhand has emerged as sleeping cell for terrorist modules.

“We are satisfied over ongoing naxal operation. Maoists are on retreat. The number of Maoist related violence has gone down,” Jharkhand Police DGP Rath told the Pioneer after the meeting, on Friday.

Asked further about anti-naxal operations in Jharkhand Rath said that extra forces will be deployed in bordering area to contain Left extremism. “Anti-naxal operation has to be consolidated further. We have intelligence in-put that Maoists are trying to regroup themselves,” he said.

Talking about proposed formation of anti-terrorist squad Rath said that others states like Maharashtra have formed a separate police wing to counter terrorism. “We will discuss the aspects of the proposed squad. But I can say that the best hands from ancillary units will be picked-up for this job.”

But despite statistical claim of fall in naxal related incidents Khunti and surrounding areas has kept top police bosses on tenterhook where the graph of naxal related and general crime registered a vertical rise in the past few months.

Sources in police attributed couple of reasons saying that the crime graph has risen because of group rivalry among splintered naxal group. “Off course we are worried. It is one of the top concerns. Around half a dozen splintered groups are operating in area who regularly clash with each other. We have discussed these matters in details,” a top official said.  

EoM

Congress forms committee for Hatia, factionalism on rise

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI 

State Congress is reported to have formed a five men committee in the anticipation of the Hatia assembly by-election and will forward its recommendations for the candidature if Jharkhand High Court clears the deck.

“Official announcement of the formation of this committee has been kept on hold since the matter is subjudice. It will recommend candidate any time after the court’s verdict,” a party insider said. Leader refused to disclose the names of the members, though, but dropped enough hint about the committee comprising senior most party leaders.

From throwing lavish lunch party to calling old and forgotten party workers on the name of felicitating them claimants for the tickets have swung in backstage negotiation. “These are all off-stage drama. Some of them returned from Delhi after they were not taken seriously by the central Congress which is preoccupied with upcoming assembly election in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab,” a party functionary said.

Sunil Sahay whose candidature is powered and projected by his heavyweight brother; Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, may not expect the committee to make a favourable recommendation. “The privy of being bother of party heavyweight is not going to be the sole criteria of candidature. Seniority and association with the party matter while his political life in the Congress is less than two years,” a senior party leader agitatedly said.

It will provide enough reasons to State Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu to glee and giggle who having several brushes with Union Minister to get control over party. Apart from other claimants like former party spokesperson Alko Dubey, Rana Sangram Singh, Congress mahanagar there is Pratibha Pandey, former state president of Women Congress who is seeking fair justice this time. In 2005 election she was given party ticket from Hatia and withdrawn barely 12 days after to accommodate Gopal Sarannath Sahdeo of royal Sahdeo family.

But, Subodh Kant Sahay is not sure about the card that Balmuchu might have kept in his sleeves to stop him in Hatia. Talk in the air that the anti-Sahay camp might convince central high command to strike a deal with the JVM to support in Hatia and secure the support of the JVM for the Rajya Sabha seat. It will be a smart move to push back Sahay and please party’s Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand Mabel Rebello who is left with few months to complete her term.

“An addition of seat does not make any difference in Jharkhand in the near future. Rajya Sabha seat matters the most for Delhi,” a party leader said.

On face the Congress has repeatedly announced its intent to contest and sought support from the JVM chief Babulal Marandi. And every time Marandi disparagingly rebuked the Congress.

The proposal is not acceptable to the JVM even it appears politically profitable though JVM leaders like Pradeep Yadav would refuse to say anything till the Congress brings such proposal. Congress had promised handsome political and personal return to the JVM to get its support during previous Rajya Sabha election which it convivially forgot.

CM Munda to take part in crucial review meeting today

Strap: State performing well under IAP schemes

Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi

Chief Minister Arjun Munda will take part in the crucial meeting over naxal related problems and development issues in Delhi on Wednesday called by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. Chief Ministers of other states affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) would also attend the meeting.

The meeting besides discussing ongoing anti-naxal operations in the affected States will discuss development projects in the naxal affected districts under Integrated Action Plan.

“It is going to be an important meeting which will review development projects in the naxal affected districts,” State Home Secretary JB Tubid said. Recently the Centre has announced development projects under Saranda Action Plan for 56 villages falling in Saranda area of East and West Singhbum districts of the State.

The Centre released Rs 770 crore under IAP for raising infrastructure in 14 Naxal-hit districts of Jharkhand. Later on Centre conceded to the demand of Jharkhand government to include Ranchi, Khunti and Giridih districts under IAP.

The said amount would be used to create infrastructure like roads, culverts, irrigation facilities, potable water facilities and creating job opportunities for the people living in remote areas. Under the scheme each of the Naxal-violence affected districts were granted Rs 55 crore for development activities under the IAP. 

IAP a key concept of the Home Ministry to counter Maoists by focusing development on the grassroots had earlier included 60 districts across nine naxal affected states. The number shot up to 78 after Centre added 18 new districts.

Jharkhand has kept an impressive track record at least on the paper. Out of Rs 630 crore allotted to Jharkhand under IAP in the fiscal years 2010-11 and 2011-12, the state government utilised Rs 377.45 crore for 14 districts. Compared to national average of 51.14 per cent, Jharkhand has spent 59.91 per cent.

But Jharkhand lags behind in comparison with Andhra Pradesh, which utilised 71 per cent of the total allocated fund.

Fears of stars and omens goad politicians

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI 

“Something is rotten in the State of Jharkhand,” Shakespeare would have said had he been born in Jharkhand. Sadly, there is no Shakespeare here to write dramas on a State that produced many tragedies, satires and even crude political comedies; enough to qualify the state for basket case distinction.

The Shakespearean tragedy has remarkable parallel here, as politicians of Jharkhand fear omens and stars quite like Marcellus and Horatio; the two character of drama Hamlet.

They secretly consult pundits and astrologers before taking political decisions which their fingers stuffed with precious stones partially admit. But their fear for stars and inauspicious time is quite glaring on the Hindu Lunar Calendar that they admit quite publicly. Till inauspicious time passes-off let the government and people suffer: no cabinet expansion, no major decision.

So recently coalition government’s partners, JMM and the BJP; have plunged the state in deep uncertainty as each have dared other to withdraw from coalition government. Senior JMM leader Shashank Shekhar Bhokta publicly admitted his party of secular credential will avoid taking a decision during December 15 to January 15 — the period known as Kharmas.

“Whether we stay with the BJP or not the decision will be taken only after Kharmas…because this period is not auspicious for taking any such a decision. You know it may bring disaster,” Bhokta said. The JMM may use the time to negotiate with the Congress and bully the BJP. But Bhokta admitted his party chief Shibu Soren has this thing in his mind.

The BJP after initial verbal match with the JMM has softened its stand to avoid further damage. Best blame stars and inauspicious Kharmas for conflict. “Such things are happening due to Kharmas. Let the Sun go northward the dispute will end,” Goswami sounded innocently. Nevertheless, inquisitive BJP leader and Chief Minister Arjun Munda had consulted three top astrologers to select moment to take oath in September 2010. But even arrangements and alignments of stars and constellations can’t guarantee political stability in Jharkhand where politics suffers from unpredictable predicament.

If stars and omens indeed make and mar the fate of these earthly Gods JMM chief Shibu Soren might not have forgotten his second stint as CM in 2008 that met with a tearful termination after he lost Tamar assembly by-election as CM in the first week of January 2009.

Soren is after all a secular man not known for chasing stars. But when Opposition mounted assault for his resignation he had privately wished he should be allowed to continue as CM as namesake till Kharmas was over.

Soren probably believed he will tide the time and situation once the bad phase was over. “Soren that time wanted the Congress to re-prop him as CM for another six months which was constitutionally wrong.  Kharmas and other inauspicious periods are actually an alibi. It is very funny that cabinet expansions are withheld due to such reasons. Jharkhand has set an example of superstition,” Congress leader Radha Krishna Kishore said.  

Politicians of state have long been indulged into a debate questioning the timing of very foundation of Jharkhand on midnight of November 15, 2000 when first Governor of the State Prabhat Kumar was sworn in three minutes past that midnight followed by the first Chief Minister Babulal Marandi. Many years later Marandi admitted Jharkhand took birth on wrong time. A senior BJP leader had admitted that two astrologers from Ranchi and Uttar Pradesh had warned against the very timing of oath taking. But Marandi did not want to wait till morning as he feared central bosses could change their mind in favour of Kariya Munda.

Four hundred years back Shakespeare tempted to say something is rotting in state of Denmark; in Jharkhand it is stinking.