Politics meets cricket at fine leg
VIJAY DEO JHA
RANCHI
It was a semi final World Cup match between the sub-continent’s two arch rivals India and Pakistan, watched and commented on like a proxy war.
India crumbled on Wednesday afternoon but what rued and raged people and politicians back to the home town of Team India captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, he crumbled like crunchy popcorn: 25 runs wasting 42 balls and precious 62 precious minutes.
Politicians of the state were the avid watcher of this semi-final offering value judgment and commentary over what went wrong with India. Former BJP State President and MLA Raghuwar Das could not resist from inserting the element of nationalism in what he commented over India-Pakistan match.
“Watching cricket with sportsman spirit is a different thing. But when India plays against Pakistan, national sentiment overpowers all. I belong to the same category of cricket watchers,” Das said after India ended with 260 of scores.
Das had cancelled all his schedules to watch the semi final. Asked to comment over Indian batsmen poor performance against punch of Pakistan he said: “They have taken poor batting ethics, if not proper form. Except Sachin Tendulkar and Virendra Sehwag to some extent, they delivered a dud against promised humdinger.”
Das was not so much of praise for Dhoni. “No improvement upon the past performance. In fact in all the World Cup matches of this series India have played, Dhoni has shown that he had exhausted his quota of common sense in cricket. See SK Raina, he is more impressive than Dhoni.
Raina exploded into his ferocious self, slashing and pummeling the ball all round the park which had gone, in moments, from hushed foreboding to riotous revelry.
Dhoni was clearly under pressure after India returned to portentous habit of piling wickets instead of piling runs. Dhoni lumbered back to the pavilion, with his bat that wielded no magic: much against the expectation of his fans and followers in Ranchi who turned from prayer to penance to wish him success.
It was amazing to note that all those politicians who watched this tense match had fine understanding of the cricket as though politics met cricket at the fine leg.
“Only Virendra Sahwag could match the style of Sachin and the rest disappointed us especially middle order batsmen. I do not know as to what goes wrong with India against Pakistan,” senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Kishore said.
Kishore commented over the batting medley of India team by saying that Indians have the tendency of the Mughals to begin with and then suddenly morph into the later Mughals — bunch of hopeless fellows, delinquent squanderers of accumulated riches.
Minister of the Disaster Management Department, Raja Peter, had returned to his home early to watch but had not anticipated a disaster of India team.
“Only three batsmen delivered according to their potential, Sachin, Sehwag and Raina. From Pakistani side Sahid Afridi at least kept his promise stop Sachin from hitting century. But Dhoni dampened my spirit,” he said.
But then Peter suddenly spoke in the fashion of an expert. “Why to blame batsmen alone for the ruin of the team. Last day it rained in Mohali. Moist pitch supports bowlers.” Peter has been ministering the department meant to control draught in Jharkhand; struggling quite desperately. If he blamed rain for ruin of India in Mohali, he in the past equally blamed no rain for the rue of the people of this state.
By the time this report was filed Pakistan were hitting away furiously till the last man standing and Indians were repairing their jangled nerve. Avid watchers had much to cheer about when India beat the Pakistani aggression with a convincing 29 run win even as Dhoni’s home crowd burst into loud cheers and wild celebrations.
Looking for some juicy bytes, electronic media thronged in large numbers outside the Indian skipper’s residence. Now over to Mumbai.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Politics meets cricket at fine leg
VIJAY DEO JHA
RANCHI
It was a semi final World Cup match between the sub-continent’s two arch rivals India and Pakistan, watched and commented on like a proxy war.
India crumbled on Wednesday afternoon but what rued and raged people and politicians back to the home town of Team India captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, he crumbled like crunchy popcorn: 25 runs wasting 42 balls and precious 62 precious minutes.
Politicians of the state were the avid watcher of this semi-final offering value judgment and commentary over what went wrong with India. Former BJP State President and MLA Raghuwar Das could not resist from inserting the element of nationalism in what he commented over India-Pakistan match.
“Watching cricket with sportsman spirit is a different thing. But when India plays against Pakistan, national sentiment overpowers all. I belong to the same category of cricket watchers,” Das said after India ended with 260 of scores.
Das had cancelled all his schedules to watch the semi final. Asked to comment over Indian batsmen poor performance against punch of Pakistan he said: “They have taken poor batting ethics, if not proper form. Except Sachin Tendulkar and Virendra Sehwag to some extent, they delivered a dud against promised humdinger.”
Das was not so much of praise for Dhoni. “No improvement upon the past performance. In fact in all the World Cup matches of this series India have played, Dhoni has shown that he had exhausted his quota of common sense in cricket. See SK Raina, he is more impressive than Dhoni.
Raina exploded into his ferocious self, slashing and pummeling the ball all round the park which had gone, in moments, from hushed foreboding to riotous revelry.
Dhoni was clearly under pressure after India returned to portentous habit of piling wickets instead of piling runs. Dhoni lumbered back to the pavilion, with his bat that wielded no magic: much against the expectation of his fans and followers in Ranchi who turned from prayer to penance to wish him success.
It was amazing to note that all those politicians who watched this tense match had fine understanding of the cricket as though politics met cricket at the fine leg.
“Only Virendra Sahwag could match the style of Sachin and the rest disappointed us especially middle order batsmen. I do not know as to what goes wrong with India against Pakistan,” senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Kishore said.
Kishore commented over the batting medley of India team by saying that Indians have the tendency of the Mughals to begin with and then suddenly morph into the later Mughals — bunch of hopeless fellows, delinquent squanderers of accumulated riches.
Minister of the Disaster Management Department had returned to his home early to watch but had not anticipated a disaster of India team.
“Only three batsmen delivered according to their potential, Sachin, Sehwag and Raina. From Pakistani side Sahid Afridi at least kept his promise to Sachin from hitting century. But Dhoni dampened my spirit,” he said.
But then Peter suddenly spoke in the fashion of an expert. “Why to blame batsmen alone for the ruin of the team. Last day it rained in Mohali. Moist pitch supports bowlers.” Peter has been ministering the department meant to control draught in Jharkhand; struggling quite desperately. If he blamed rain for ruin of India in Mohali, he in the past equally blamed no rain for the rue of the people of this state.
By the time this report was filed Pakistan were hitting a classy ton at the loss of three wickets. Avid watchers were repairing their jangled nerves after Pakistan lost two wickets.
By the time this report was filed Pakistan were hitting away furiously till the last man standing. Avid watchers had much to cheer about when India beat the Pakistani aggression with a convincing 29 run win even as Dhoni’s home crowd burst into loud cheers and wild celebrations.
Looking for some juicy bytes, electronic media thronged in large numbers outside the Indian skipper’s residence. They will get their byte and good frame to feed their channels anyway. Now over to Mumbai.
VIJAY DEO JHA
RANCHI
It was a semi final World Cup match between the sub-continent’s two arch rivals India and Pakistan, watched and commented on like a proxy war.
India crumbled on Wednesday afternoon but what rued and raged people and politicians back to the home town of Team India captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, he crumbled like crunchy popcorn: 25 runs wasting 42 balls and precious 62 precious minutes.
Politicians of the state were the avid watcher of this semi-final offering value judgment and commentary over what went wrong with India. Former BJP State President and MLA Raghuwar Das could not resist from inserting the element of nationalism in what he commented over India-Pakistan match.
“Watching cricket with sportsman spirit is a different thing. But when India plays against Pakistan, national sentiment overpowers all. I belong to the same category of cricket watchers,” Das said after India ended with 260 of scores.
Das had cancelled all his schedules to watch the semi final. Asked to comment over Indian batsmen poor performance against punch of Pakistan he said: “They have taken poor batting ethics, if not proper form. Except Sachin Tendulkar and Virendra Sehwag to some extent, they delivered a dud against promised humdinger.”
Das was not so much of praise for Dhoni. “No improvement upon the past performance. In fact in all the World Cup matches of this series India have played, Dhoni has shown that he had exhausted his quota of common sense in cricket. See SK Raina, he is more impressive than Dhoni.
Raina exploded into his ferocious self, slashing and pummeling the ball all round the park which had gone, in moments, from hushed foreboding to riotous revelry.
Dhoni was clearly under pressure after India returned to portentous habit of piling wickets instead of piling runs. Dhoni lumbered back to the pavilion, with his bat that wielded no magic: much against the expectation of his fans and followers in Ranchi who turned from prayer to penance to wish him success.
It was amazing to note that all those politicians who watched this tense match had fine understanding of the cricket as though politics met cricket at the fine leg.
“Only Virendra Sahwag could match the style of Sachin and the rest disappointed us especially middle order batsmen. I do not know as to what goes wrong with India against Pakistan,” senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Kishore said.
Kishore commented over the batting medley of India team by saying that Indians have the tendency of the Mughals to begin with and then suddenly morph into the later Mughals — bunch of hopeless fellows, delinquent squanderers of accumulated riches.
Minister of the Disaster Management Department had returned to his home early to watch but had not anticipated a disaster of India team.
“Only three batsmen delivered according to their potential, Sachin, Sehwag and Raina. From Pakistani side Sahid Afridi at least kept his promise to Sachin from hitting century. But Dhoni dampened my spirit,” he said.
But then Peter suddenly spoke in the fashion of an expert. “Why to blame batsmen alone for the ruin of the team. Last day it rained in Mohali. Moist pitch supports bowlers.” Peter has been ministering the department meant to control draught in Jharkhand; struggling quite desperately. If he blamed rain for ruin of India in Mohali, he in the past equally blamed no rain for the rue of the people of this state.
By the time this report was filed Pakistan were hitting a classy ton at the loss of three wickets. Avid watchers were repairing their jangled nerves after Pakistan lost two wickets.
By the time this report was filed Pakistan were hitting away furiously till the last man standing. Avid watchers had much to cheer about when India beat the Pakistani aggression with a convincing 29 run win even as Dhoni’s home crowd burst into loud cheers and wild celebrations.
Looking for some juicy bytes, electronic media thronged in large numbers outside the Indian skipper’s residence. They will get their byte and good frame to feed their channels anyway. Now over to Mumbai.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Gadkari to arrive Jharkhand
Vijay Deo Jha
Ranchi
BJP national President Nitin Gadkari is not a lame-duck yet he decided to visit Jharkhand a little lamed by political reverses he suffered past year in Jharkhand and, on the evidence of the run-up, could well deliver a duck if you have prepared some pointed posers to pinch him.
Gadkari had escaped attending oath taking ceremony of the last two governments in Jharkhand — Shibu Soren and Arjun Munda. Though, his prior engagements were sited as the reason — politically reasons were different. Gadkari had lost too many things in Jharkhand. He will try to regain some of these.
In the Soren led government his party was in second fiddle role. In no time the trust deficit between the alliance partners, the BJP and the JMM became so wide that the government collapsed within five months. Though, the estranged political partners nudged into negotiation bid soon after, but then, it had left bad taste in the mouth of Gadkari. Gadkari had the first such encounter with Jharkhand where politics is always pregnant with queer ploy and possibilities even beyond shrewd sense.
Probably he thought to collect burnished trophy of credit to form government in Jharkhand with the JMM. The obvious aim was to keep the Congress at way to run the government in Jharkhand through proxy. Certainly his coterie must not have briefed him correctly about Jharkhand and the JMM. The alliance crumbled in no time and the government collapsed with five months.
The later episode of government formation with the JMM cost Gadkari and his party dearly. The government was formed but at the cost of the image of the party and his own. Within the party and outside his leadership was questioned and the BJP as power hungry. But then, Jharkhand taught him some critical lessons in politics and political judgment that he could not have learnt in his past stint in politics.
So Gadkari will be on two-day visit in Jharkhand from Saturday. The state capital has turned into the town of arch and hording to welcome him. Gadkari will attend the meeting of party workers who will turn not less than 50000 in number to attend it. The BJP leaders have attached so much importance to his maiden visit to Jharkhand.
“Gadkari had taken the government formation exercise as challenge. It was his initiative,” a senior party leader said. “This government bears his impression. Road and electricity are his pet subjects which are with the BJP,” he said. But the leader conceded that the state government has yet to graduate beyond promises and plans to offer anything tactile over infrastructural development.
So is the case with the party here in Jharkhand that requires real organisational overhaul at the grass root level. The organisational elections have been a slow pace affair from the last many months. None in the party is ready to give any deadline by the time when the elections will be completed. Factionalism in the BJP is still on boil one that had started last year between Munda and the then state party president Raghuwar Das.
Source in the BJP said that importance of the visit of Gadkari actually lies in future. “The assembly elections of the five states may change the scenario of the national politics. There could be mid term election, hence, BJP is looking for alliance partners in different states. JMM could be well on the card of the party,” source said.
Gadkari is sure to face questions over the credibility of such alliance. When time will come to criticize the central government over price hike Gadkari will have to face a tough poser. The state government has increased the price of petroleum and diesel.
Vijay Deo Jha
Ranchi
BJP national President Nitin Gadkari is not a lame-duck yet he decided to visit Jharkhand a little lamed by political reverses he suffered past year in Jharkhand and, on the evidence of the run-up, could well deliver a duck if you have prepared some pointed posers to pinch him.
Gadkari had escaped attending oath taking ceremony of the last two governments in Jharkhand — Shibu Soren and Arjun Munda. Though, his prior engagements were sited as the reason — politically reasons were different. Gadkari had lost too many things in Jharkhand. He will try to regain some of these.
In the Soren led government his party was in second fiddle role. In no time the trust deficit between the alliance partners, the BJP and the JMM became so wide that the government collapsed within five months. Though, the estranged political partners nudged into negotiation bid soon after, but then, it had left bad taste in the mouth of Gadkari. Gadkari had the first such encounter with Jharkhand where politics is always pregnant with queer ploy and possibilities even beyond shrewd sense.
Probably he thought to collect burnished trophy of credit to form government in Jharkhand with the JMM. The obvious aim was to keep the Congress at way to run the government in Jharkhand through proxy. Certainly his coterie must not have briefed him correctly about Jharkhand and the JMM. The alliance crumbled in no time and the government collapsed with five months.
The later episode of government formation with the JMM cost Gadkari and his party dearly. The government was formed but at the cost of the image of the party and his own. Within the party and outside his leadership was questioned and the BJP as power hungry. But then, Jharkhand taught him some critical lessons in politics and political judgment that he could not have learnt in his past stint in politics.
So Gadkari will be on two-day visit in Jharkhand from Saturday. The state capital has turned into the town of arch and hording to welcome him. Gadkari will attend the meeting of party workers who will turn not less than 50000 in number to attend it. The BJP leaders have attached so much importance to his maiden visit to Jharkhand.
“Gadkari had taken the government formation exercise as challenge. It was his initiative,” a senior party leader said. “This government bears his impression. Road and electricity are his pet subjects which are with the BJP,” he said. But the leader conceded that the state government has yet to graduate beyond promises and plans to offer anything tactile over infrastructural development.
So is the case with the party here in Jharkhand that requires real organisational overhaul at the grass root level. The organisational elections have been a slow pace affair from the last many months. None in the party is ready to give any deadline by the time when the elections will be completed. Factionalism in the BJP is still on boil one that had started last year between Munda and the then state party president Raghuwar Das.
Source in the BJP said that importance of the visit of Gadkari actually lies in future. “The assembly elections of the five states may change the scenario of the national politics. There could be mid term election, hence, BJP is looking for alliance partners in different states. JMM could be well on the card of the party,” source said.
Gadkari is sure to face questions over the credibility of such alliance. When time will come to criticize the central government over price hike Gadkari will have to face a tough poser. The state government has increased the price of petroleum and diesel.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Opp raises a stink, Munda silent over Tata lease issue
RANCHI | Friday, March 25, 2011
VIJAY DEO JHA
RANCHI
The Opposition made best use of its vocal chords and ‘Bose Acoustics’ to grill Chief Minister Arjun Munda over ‘the Tata land lease issue,’ during the Budget session. Munda, however, had switched to safe mode - all ears but silent, not uttering even a word.
As the session started on Thursday, the Opposition led by JVM’s Pradeep Yadav and Congress’ KN Tripathi rushed to the well of the House. Demanding Munda’s statement over this issue the Opposition alleged that Munda in his previous regime as CM, in 2005, had unduly favoured the Tata to renew land lease. The CBI probe was quickly demanded and then entire Opposition rushed to the well with time tested sloganeering.
“Lok tantra ka hatyara hai, hai, down to the murderer of democracy.” The precious time allotted to the Question Hour and Zero Hour became the victim of din and uproar. Speaker CP Singh made repeated calls for calm to allow the normal functioning of House. None in the Opposition appeared interested to grill the government through ‘Question and Zero Hour’ when they had already got Tata stick to thrash Munda.
The treasury had no effective lieutenant today to give matching reply to the Opposition: Munda was not present in the House that time. A couple of shuddering marshals were meekly bracing-up to stop the House to turn in to a pitched battle ground, though. The House was adjourned twice, from 11 am to 12 AM and then 12 AM to 2 PM.
Opposition members used the occasion differently: political, academic and otherwise. Besides pillorying Munda, Yadav exhibited his command over gray and grave records of the so called dealing between the Tata and Munda over renewal of land lease. The Opposition charged Munda had exempted dues of an amount of Rs 5937 crore that the Tata owed to the government. Munda in turn secured contract from the Tata for the transport company allegedly owned by her wife Mira Munda.
Thick charges and earthy adjectives were flowing from the Opposition’s side in earthy vernacular. English was suddenly pressed into service in the whole turmoil. “ab English mekaun bol raha hai ji. Sab log anrezi thode na samjhega, now who has started speaking in English, not all will understand English,” one said.
Tripathi careened his head back towards quibblers with arch brow. In short: shut up you fool if do not know English, just listen me. He did not say this. He gestured it obviously. Tripathi read aloud a paragraph of the book ‘India in Turmoil’ authored by former Jharkhand Governor Ved Marwah who in his book had raised certain points related to Munda’s relation with the Tata. It was for the second time when Tripathi had quoted Marwah to trouble Munda — he had done it during Munda government’s Trust Vote on September 14 last year. A fulsome praise and more sloganeering, thereafter, Tripathi lumbered the trophy for his serious devotion towards book.
The first half of the show ended with the entire Opposition walking out of the House after successful disruption of the session. The second half of the session was the continuation of the first and started where it had left. Yadav was replaced by Samresh Singh of the JVM. And the Chief Minister had too come back to the House after backroom musing. A recharged Opposition again rushed to the well. Same chaos, same din and adjournment, finally. Munda with his silence, as irritated Opposition members into more clamours until their robust lungs gasped for breath. The Opposition boycotted the House with a firm resolution to disrupt the session over this issue on the final day of the session, Friday. Assembly’s Bose Sound system was in perfect sync with Opposition’s acoustics, only Munda chose not to hear this.
RANCHI | Friday, March 25, 2011
VIJAY DEO JHA
RANCHI
The Opposition made best use of its vocal chords and ‘Bose Acoustics’ to grill Chief Minister Arjun Munda over ‘the Tata land lease issue,’ during the Budget session. Munda, however, had switched to safe mode - all ears but silent, not uttering even a word.
As the session started on Thursday, the Opposition led by JVM’s Pradeep Yadav and Congress’ KN Tripathi rushed to the well of the House. Demanding Munda’s statement over this issue the Opposition alleged that Munda in his previous regime as CM, in 2005, had unduly favoured the Tata to renew land lease. The CBI probe was quickly demanded and then entire Opposition rushed to the well with time tested sloganeering.
“Lok tantra ka hatyara hai, hai, down to the murderer of democracy.” The precious time allotted to the Question Hour and Zero Hour became the victim of din and uproar. Speaker CP Singh made repeated calls for calm to allow the normal functioning of House. None in the Opposition appeared interested to grill the government through ‘Question and Zero Hour’ when they had already got Tata stick to thrash Munda.
The treasury had no effective lieutenant today to give matching reply to the Opposition: Munda was not present in the House that time. A couple of shuddering marshals were meekly bracing-up to stop the House to turn in to a pitched battle ground, though. The House was adjourned twice, from 11 am to 12 AM and then 12 AM to 2 PM.
Opposition members used the occasion differently: political, academic and otherwise. Besides pillorying Munda, Yadav exhibited his command over gray and grave records of the so called dealing between the Tata and Munda over renewal of land lease. The Opposition charged Munda had exempted dues of an amount of Rs 5937 crore that the Tata owed to the government. Munda in turn secured contract from the Tata for the transport company allegedly owned by her wife Mira Munda.
Thick charges and earthy adjectives were flowing from the Opposition’s side in earthy vernacular. English was suddenly pressed into service in the whole turmoil. “ab English mekaun bol raha hai ji. Sab log anrezi thode na samjhega, now who has started speaking in English, not all will understand English,” one said.
Tripathi careened his head back towards quibblers with arch brow. In short: shut up you fool if do not know English, just listen me. He did not say this. He gestured it obviously. Tripathi read aloud a paragraph of the book ‘India in Turmoil’ authored by former Jharkhand Governor Ved Marwah who in his book had raised certain points related to Munda’s relation with the Tata. It was for the second time when Tripathi had quoted Marwah to trouble Munda — he had done it during Munda government’s Trust Vote on September 14 last year. A fulsome praise and more sloganeering, thereafter, Tripathi lumbered the trophy for his serious devotion towards book.
The first half of the show ended with the entire Opposition walking out of the House after successful disruption of the session. The second half of the session was the continuation of the first and started where it had left. Yadav was replaced by Samresh Singh of the JVM. And the Chief Minister had too come back to the House after backroom musing. A recharged Opposition again rushed to the well. Same chaos, same din and adjournment, finally. Munda with his silence, as irritated Opposition members into more clamours until their robust lungs gasped for breath. The Opposition boycotted the House with a firm resolution to disrupt the session over this issue on the final day of the session, Friday. Assembly’s Bose Sound system was in perfect sync with Opposition’s acoustics, only Munda chose not to hear this.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Lawmakers disrupt House over Palamu
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
Assembly Speaker CP Singh must have been caught in a Catch 22 situation wondering whether to snub or sympathise with legislators from his home pocket Palamu for taking the Government to task for ignoring drought-stricken Palamu in the annual Budget.
He snubbed them after Congress MLAs KN Tripathi (Daltonganj) and Chandrasekhar Dubey (Bishrampur) and others rushed to the well of the House and threatened to disrupt the proceedings.
As the session began on Tuesday, the Congress MLAs supported by their other Congress colleagues Ananth Pratap Dev and Sawna Lakra accused the Government for not making any budgetary provision to tackle drought in Palamu; one of the worst-affected division in Jharkhand.
The Speaker’s repeated call for calm went unheard forcing Singh to adjourn the House. An exasperated Singh denounced Tripathi and Dubey’s behaviour and cautioned them not to undermine his authority, lest they planned to hold the House to ransom.
Singh’s repeated assurance to take up the case of Palamu had no takers. “You cannot appropriate the right of rest of the MLAs by disturbing the House. Such bullying tactics will not work, mind you.”
The Speaker expressed his annoyance during an interaction with the media on the sidelines of the Session. “A few people disturbed the House and broke decorum. They entered the House casually pointing fingers at the office of the Speaker and threatened to disrupt the proceedings, which is not good. May good sense prevail upon them.”
Initially, he even refused to accept an adjournment motion brought by Tripathi and CPI (ML) MLA Vinod Singh, for a special debate on the Palamu issue.
The second Session too remained sorry affair though without any disruption. Both Treasury and Opposition demanded the Government take a final decision over the MLA Area Development Fund which is dormant from the past one year. As the House resumed the Session RJD MLA Sanjay Singh, Yogendra Saw and Dubey (Congress) and Bandhu Tirkey rushed to the well of the House and demanded the Government take a final decision on the matter.
From the last one year no amount has been released from the said fund leading the MLAs to secure any fund for the development of their respective constituency.
Intervening in the matter, the JVM MLA Pradeep Yadav said the Government should not keep the MLAs waiting. “Either you continue with it or take a decision to abolish it but do not delay. MLAs are facing the barbs of the people everyday,” he said.
Yadav was supported by BJP MLA Raghuwar Das and JD (U) MLA Sudha Chaudhary. Explaining the Government’s position, Deputy Chief Minister Sudesh Mahato said that the matter will be taken up during the cabinet meeting scheduled on Tuesday evening.
Homour out dilemma in for Speaker
Opp theatrics reduce proceedings to farce
VIJAY DEO JHA
RANCHI | Saturday, March 12, 2011
First brawl and din and then chaos and then restless souls rolling their sleeves ready to rush to the well and then disruption and adjournment, finally, have occupies more space of reporters’ note book than any meaningful debate if it fortunately allotted time to get off the ground.
This ongoing budget session will be remembered more for disruption than debate, when a final report, elegy is more appropriate, will be read and written the day the session will be laid to the rest: February 25.
The JVM heavyweight Samresh Singh, on Friday, displayed cat like agility and jumped upon the reporters table. The table turned podium for a pure political propaganda of Singh over Bipasa (Bijli, Pani, Sadak). As though it is election time and he is addressing his core constituents, Singh rattled his rivals sitting on other side of the tense battleline.
Not so many heaped plaudits upon Singh’s theatrics, even by some of those who form the Opposition. “He was an artist with the Jatra Party (a traditional drama troupe), the impact is so deep sheeted even today,” a Congress MLA lightly told.
Singh is among politicians of Jharkhand who does not mind even snubbing the Chair and rubbishing the rule of the House if he reasonably feels he has points to profess the way he likes.
Hurriedly alighted from the table; Singh was not allowed to stay for a long, probably, the table could have been able to sustain the weight of his rampage or he could not have been able to sustain his own weight. “I am raising a vital point you can not ignore this.” In short: shut-up you fool just listen me.
ON Thursday, another JVM MLA, Nizamuddin Ansari was in a near nudity show for his love for Bipasa. When he emerged outside of the House he was perfect photo opportunity for lensemen — he had tore his kurta out of grief and grudge against the state government for neglecting vital issues like electricity and water.
A couple of days back Congress-JVM Opposition ran a parallel show inside the House for nearly half an hour over corruption charges against state’s Chief Secretary Ashok Kumar Singh. The Speaker CP Singh expelled five MLAs including Chandrasekhar Dubey, Pradeep Yadav, KN Tripathi, Sawna Lakra, Yogendra Saw for unruly show. Their expulsion was later revoked.
But by then, Speaker had come under some serious attacks from the Opposition for taking side of the government. “Speaker sarkar ke jeb me. Speaker rajniti karte hai,” are the daily chorus of Opposition.
If the reporters of the State Assembly would have properly maintained the proceeding records of the session, they would probably tell you as to how many times Speaker rammed into confrontation which is unofficially the job of treasury.
Sample this: “Sadan me aapko rajniti nahi chamkane denge, (I will not allow you to polish your politics in the House).” Kisi ki dadagiri nahi chalne denge yahan, (Will not allow anybody to bully the House).” Do chaar logno ne sadan ko Akhada bana diya hai nahi chalne denge (Some people have turned the house a wrestling ground).”
He said this even when the Opposition was genuinely right over certain issues. Intermittently, Speaker also makes call for calm invoking epithets from parliamentary lexicon to order the unruly House.
The Opposition has blamed him for running the House for the convenience of the government. “He is unable to forget that he is a BJP MLA. He has shown nothing to us to believe him impartial. He snubs Opposition her does not take us in confidence,” JVM legislative party leader Pradeep Yadav complains.
Humour is essential mien of Singh and it can fairly be said that he offered many lighter moment to the House when it badly required. But humour alone does not make a good Speaker.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Confidence and confusion: Hemant’s first show
VIJAY DEO JHA
RANCHI
The House this morning was commodiously chilled of temperature but only Finance Minister Hemant Soren seemed to sense the heat. Putting tilak on his forehead, Soren had visited God and deity, probably, to gain strength to deliver humdinger in his maiden shown as FM.
His opponents believed him to deliver a dud. Soren chose not to remain on either side and read his budget speech that had no patina except several blushes to Hindi, he gave quite expectedly.
Those who had drafted his speech probably thought that as per convention FM speech must carry at least couple of verses, never mind, how bad the FM could be in handling those fine lines. “Sarkar ki Kaman yuvaon ne sambhali hai, Sadan ka lekar viswas, Vikash ki jyoti jalani hai, (Youths have taken rein of the government, taking the House in confidence we will bring development).”
Hemant looked both his sides, expecting some praise from CM Arjun Munda and Deputy CM Sudesh Mahato. So prosaic a deliverance, they could not understand; was it poetry, was it a prose or an interpolation.
Opposition’s boo-boo brigade was ready to tear his confidence and as soon as Hemant rose to speak the front benchers—Pradeep Yadav, Samresh Singh, Annapurna Devi and Bandhu Tirkey raised the issue of the leak of the budget.
“You must take moral responsibility of the leakage of the budget report before it was tabled.” Opposition’s first assault flummoxed Hemant to read his speech at super fast speed.
His forehead was constantly dehydrating, his hands constantly reaching out for repair and re-hydration. He was nervous in the manner of a rookie conductor asked to lead a philharmonic concert who has just got only rudimentary training at a music school.
“Samresh Da, Hemant ji Naye hai, sikhenge bolne dijiye inhen,” leader Opposition Rajendra Singh interrupted. The king of blusters had not subsided, only Hemant was pleading for an audience. Samresh often made faces and led his thumbs down to rattle so were other Opposition MLAs who termed budget a finely worded fraud.
Hemant’s speech was interrupted by frequent interruption by the Opposition with number of anonymous grunts of protest from the Opposition. At one point Pradeep Yadav did get up to question or to contradict something but he wasn’t able to go a long way after the Speaker CP Singh intervened to let FM to finish.
Yet, there were occasions when Hemant appeared bedeviled by critical opposition flipping over a critical section on concessions to minorities and dropping and slashing some of welfare programmes.
When questions were raised for dropping ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Rural Electricity Programme’ former FM Raghuwar Das was shuffling thick budget documents to ascertain the fact.
“Listen please. I have taken care of the interest of every section. You need to listen first,” he begged for audience.
Hemant was a probationary practitioner of the thankless art of budget presentation, of course, but here too was a man who was ministering not only the political fortune of his government but also trying to prove himself fit for the job.
During the speech Hemant nearly lost confidence several times but collected soon after. Reading measure after measure pouring data and detail he left the Opposition taxed. In between, Hemant tried to gain consensus over key and critical issues. One such he said: “Jharkhand is facing drought but the Centre has not given us desired help. Let us unite on this issue.”
“Such appeals could easily fetch tears and not rain and support. See agriculture sector has remained neglected so the farmers nothing substantial,” Pradeep Yadav said after the budget.
But in between Opposition’s fiery attack and jeer and Hemant’s own desperate bid to complete the show he was trying to shield himself by poking humour.
The day showed humour not as the essential mien of Hemant, though it can safely be said that he tried, poorly.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Uneasy calm in Ranchi as vote count begins
NATION | Thursday, February 17, 2011
VIJAY DEO JHA | RANCHI
A strange, almost eerie silence seems to mark the run-up to the counting day of the Kharsawan bypoll. For once the warring camps have fallen silent, locked in meditation and prayer, and a fervent wish to emerge winner. Interestingly though, there were no tall claims of victory, not even in a whisper!
Chief Minister and BJP candidate Arjun Munda is caught in a tough battle with the Opposition-supported JVM candidate Dashrath Gagrai aka Krishan Gagrai. Kharsawan poll is bound to be the most bitterly-fought affair of the State following Tamar Assembly, where the then Chief Minister Shibu Soren had faced the most humiliating defeat of his political career, the wound of which he nurses even today.
Munda’s bete noire, Babulal Marandi of the JVM, had assiduously done all to corner his rival. After all, Marandi had tried his best to smother Munda by raising contentious issues like CNT Act, PESA Act, displacement of tribals in his (Munda) own territory. Munda countered and convinced his electorate about a probable plot of the Opposition to put a break on the development of the State which he is chauffeuring.
Whether Marandi’ poll mechanism will work or not, will be known by Thursday afternoon when the counting gets over.
Not only the fate of Munda, but the also the fate of the State’s politics will be decided in this election. The fine sheet of the election result will be nothing but a document to establish whether Kharsawan belongs to Munda — partially or totally. He laboured hard to maintain his impressive record of winning the election in Kharsawan by a phenomenal margin. Speculations of marginal fall in his winning tally has come to disturb the BJP, nevertheless, his close aides are hopeful that this time too he will win with an impressive record.
If Munda wins he can claim having got the mandate for development. For Marandi, even the defeat, will be a trophy being the only robust Opposition with a lethal potential to tame and maim Munda and his party in the coming days. To cry or to laugh, is a classic Congress conundrum, the JVM has already pushed its ally to the wall by wresting Kharsawan seat. Congress’ role as a credible Opposition will be at stake in the coming days too. Who will have last laugh? Guess?
Down but not out, Munda remains Arjun in Kharsawan battle
RANCHI | Friday, February 18, 2011
VIJAY DEO JHA / PARVINDAR BHAT
RANCHI / JAMSHEDPUR
If Kharsawan largely decided to stay with BJP candidate and chief minister Arjun Munda, it did not reject JVM chief Babulal Marandi either.
Munda on Thursday; won the Kharsawan by-election against his only rival, Dashrath Gagrai aka Krishna Gagrai of the JVM, by a modest margin of 17,366 votes. Munda netted 61,701 votes against a total poll cast of around 70 against Gagrai who ended much impressively with 44,335 votes.
The tally is much below the expectation of his own party that expected him to repeat his impressive victory for the fourth consecutive time. Munda entered into the electoral politics for the first time in 1995 as the JMM candidate when he defeated his Congress rival and stalwart, Vijay Singh Soi.
The election result has come with a bold message: Kharsawan belongs to Munda — not his party, mind you. Assembly election 2000, Munda contested from Kharsawan as the BJP candidate against Congress' Vijay Singh Soi. Voters whacked Soi so badly in the poll fray that the man withdrew from active politics thereafter. A critical edge of around 15.60 per cent over Soi had hustled him to win. He left his opponents to gnash and grind in 2005 when he defeated Congress' Kunti Soi with an unbridgeable margin of 55,334 votes.
Even in 2009, when he fielded Mangal Singh Soi - more a doorkeeper than his aide - it was Munda who was pulled the strings. In 2005, Munda had set a benchmark of victory for himself that he was wished and widely reported to maintain. But how come, the man himself did not know?
But then, politics to him is much like the game of golf that he passionately played at the Golf Club in Jamshedpur even when the counting was going on. It was even when he was trailing by a margin of 21 and 807 votes in the second and fourth round of the counting. He was perfect in pushing the ball to the hole when he registered a remarkable lead over the JVM candidate in the sixth round that he maintained till last.
Munda will not like to answer pointed posers whether the reduced winning margin, is a doctoral pulse of ground slowly turning against him.
"Margin does not matter in the winning. The election was fought by the people of Kharsawan and they have won. People have reposed faith in me and my government. My opponents had spread endless rumours during the campaign. They have been answered by the people," he told the media.
After the result, images started rolling on the television screen; Marandi and Munda engaged in a verbal duel claiming people on their side.
"Then why his ministers were camping for him if he claims people fought on his side. We had no base in Kharsawan, yet we netted so many votes against him even though our candidate is a rookie," Marandi said displaying no sign of defeat.
Privately, Marandi's observation will disturb Munda when he sits down to figure out the poll puzzle. But right now, he can draw solace in the fact that his winning has given a new lease of life to his government.
Munda in fact, made no mistake in discerning Marandi's strategy to engage him on key and contentious issues: PESA Act, CNT Act, displacement of tribals in the name of establishing industry.
But then, Munda dismayed Marandi, the chief architect of Opposition unity at the end of the day. Munda was actively supported and canvassed during campaigning by his alliance partners in the government: JMM, AJSU and JD (U).
The election result has come with a premium for Marandi, he can encash it in the coming days. At least, the result has firmly pronounced the future role of the JVM as a credible Opposition to BJP.
The election of Kharsawan is not the first and the last of its kind. On Thursday, Munda's deputy and JMM leader Hemant Soren congratulated Munda on behalf of his party and president, Shibu Soren.
"The combine effort of the alliance partners worked in the election. We expect him to work for development. We expect him to honour the coalition dharma in the coming days," Hemant said.
You can give expectation another name: Jamshedpur parliamentary constituency. After supporting Munda for Kharsawan, the JMM has now demanded Jamshedpur which will be vacated soon after Munda resigns from here.
Munda mocks at Marandi after Kharsawan triumph
VIJAY DEO JHA | RANCHI National Page
BJP Chief Minister Arjun Munda wriggled out of dozens of public celebrations following his victory in Kharsawan on his way from Jamshedpur and, fired a fresh salvo against JVM chief Babulal Marandi, here in Ranchi, on Friday.
Munda did not name Marandi in his thirty minutes of interaction with the media and his party workers but, he made it amply clear that the person he loathed to name was Marandi. Munda on Thursday defeated Opposition-backed JVM candidate Dashrath Gagrai aka Krishna Gagrai with a modest margin of around 17,000 votes.
"We have won the election with the support of the people, despite rumours and confusions being spread by some people to divide the electorate. They have got an apt reply," he said.
Resorting to puns Munda lampooned Marandi for spreading confusion over the CNT Act, PESA and other issues. "The government has scraped CNT Act to allow the loot of the land of the tribal and others…how cheap," he quipped.
Cautioning his rivals that politicians and political parties should refrain from breaching people's trust, he flayed Marandi and the Opposition for ignoring this.
"Political parties have the right to seek support of the people over any issue. But they tried to fool the voters of Kharsawan…and were rejected and rebuffed."
On the PESA Act, under which three-tier panchayat elections in Jharkhand were held, Munda accepted that certain sections of the society might not have got adequate representation. "This aspect certainly needed to be looked into," he said, "but in Kharsawan I was surprised to see those people raising bogey over PESA Act who as MPs during 1996 had helped enactment of PESA as law in the Parliament."
This was a direct hit at former MP Sailendra Mahato who campaigned against Munda on behalf of Marandi.
"Such people spoke thousands contradictory things over PESA and CNT to different people, even forgetting that what they spoke an hour before, contradicted what they spoke an hour later."
Terming the Panchayat elections in Jharkhand as a decisive push towards women empowerment, he reckoned that around 60 of the total women population have got a direct say in the governance.
"But we never indulged in dirty politics over Panchayat election. We never laid sole claim for conducting panchayat election. It is really sorry to see them," he fumed. Promising to give a corruption free and development-oriented government in Jharkhand he promised social harmony.
Scorning Marandi for announcing the fall of Munda government a day after the Kharsawan result, and formation of the next government soon after, the CM said "Under the name of election many such people visited Kharsawan and stayed there for long and returned empty handed," he quipped.
Even as Munda was cheering the loyalists; the JVM was holding a Press conference to denounce his victory as " gross misuse of government machinery and money."
And the problem with the scribes was they could not afford to skip either of the conferences.
VIJAY DEO JHA | RANCHI National Page
BJP Chief Minister Arjun Munda wriggled out of dozens of public celebrations following his victory in Kharsawan on his way from Jamshedpur and, fired a fresh salvo against JVM chief Babulal Marandi, here in Ranchi, on Friday.
Munda did not name Marandi in his thirty minutes of interaction with the media and his party workers but, he made it amply clear that the person he loathed to name was Marandi. Munda on Thursday defeated Opposition-backed JVM candidate Dashrath Gagrai aka Krishna Gagrai with a modest margin of around 17,000 votes.
"We have won the election with the support of the people, despite rumours and confusions being spread by some people to divide the electorate. They have got an apt reply," he said.
Resorting to puns Munda lampooned Marandi for spreading confusion over the CNT Act, PESA and other issues. "The government has scraped CNT Act to allow the loot of the land of the tribal and others…how cheap," he quipped.
Cautioning his rivals that politicians and political parties should refrain from breaching people's trust, he flayed Marandi and the Opposition for ignoring this.
"Political parties have the right to seek support of the people over any issue. But they tried to fool the voters of Kharsawan…and were rejected and rebuffed."
On the PESA Act, under which three-tier panchayat elections in Jharkhand were held, Munda accepted that certain sections of the society might not have got adequate representation. "This aspect certainly needed to be looked into," he said, "but in Kharsawan I was surprised to see those people raising bogey over PESA Act who as MPs during 1996 had helped enactment of PESA as law in the Parliament."
This was a direct hit at former MP Sailendra Mahato who campaigned against Munda on behalf of Marandi.
"Such people spoke thousands contradictory things over PESA and CNT to different people, even forgetting that what they spoke an hour before, contradicted what they spoke an hour later."
Terming the Panchayat elections in Jharkhand as a decisive push towards women empowerment, he reckoned that around 60 of the total women population have got a direct say in the governance.
"But we never indulged in dirty politics over Panchayat election. We never laid sole claim for conducting panchayat election. It is really sorry to see them," he fumed. Promising to give a corruption free and development-oriented government in Jharkhand he promised social harmony.
Scorning Marandi for announcing the fall of Munda government a day after the Kharsawan result, and formation of the next government soon after, the CM said "Under the name of election many such people visited Kharsawan and stayed there for long and returned empty handed," he quipped.
Even as Munda was cheering the loyalists; the JVM was holding a Press conference to denounce his victory as " gross misuse of government machinery and money."
And the problem with the scribes was they could not afford to skip either of the conferences.
Teaching a lesson to the pseudo Gandhians
Vijay Deo Jha
Gumla
The story hadn’t occurred to us until; finally, it tormented us for not noticing.
It was like any normal day and time when we accidentally came across 70 years old Rati Tana Bhagat at village Karaundi in Gumla district arguing with the census official that he must be documented as the follower of a religion that many might not have heard, surely.
“Satt Ahimsa Gandhi Baba (truth, non-violence, Gandhi Baba),” this is my religion. Put it in your census record against the column of religion in your register.
Sweating profusely, Rati was gasping for breath probably due chronic asthma but, emphatic enough to make census officer Jitiya Oraon jittery to accommodate his religion on the census chart. Oraon told us that he is a primary school teacher and also president of Gumla Primary Teachers’ Association. Oraon was aware of the passion of Tanas for Mahatma Gandhi but he had no courage to convince them that there exists no column in the census form about the religion they insists to mention.
“I respect your sentiment and attachment for Mahatma Gandhi but there is no such column of religion in the census form,” Oraon makes last effort to find a way out. But by this time it was too late. Oraon had received overdose of mild rebuff hoping he will come to understand that how Tanas had embraced Gandhi’s movement for freedom struggle and Gandhian philosophy sans sophistry.
The old man is in no mood to compromise with his religion. Suddenly around 50 inquisitive Tana Bhagats clad in Khadi after emerging from daily prayer of Gandhi, joined the old man.
They insisted and remained firm till the poor school teacher had duly mentioned them as the follower of Satt Ahimsa Gandhi Baba religion. There may not be too many followers of the religion of this kind, before it insists to qualify officially, as a distinct religion in the Gazette of the government: a mixture of the fine elements of Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and many others. But before Oraon can pack-up and proceed they had put their thumb impression so that none could temper with their belief.
True to his name, Budhiman Tana Bhagat talked intelligently about the fast shrinking number of Tana Bhagat in Jharkhand and their problem. What Budhiman told reflected that he had some schooling as he appeared well equipped with the problem of Tanas. “We are tribal…but we follow Gandhiji as religion. There are few pockets in Lohardaga and Gumla where Tanas are now live,” he rued. Bisunpur, Ghaghra, Chnadrkop, Bamandih, Gazani, Kuru and few other he listed. There is no official record available to ascertain their number.
The British government had confiscated 3000 acres of their land as punishment for their unquestioned support for Mahatma. “Our land has not been returned…we are still to be granted cultivation right. Please tell the government about our problem. A year back government had assured us but nothing happened,” Budhiman said. The previous government of Madhu Koda had even announced to return such lands to the Tanas that did not graduate beyond the promise.
They had a long list of complaint but that does not douse their undying passion for Mahatma and his philosophy.
It is census time: Different religious bodies have regrouped to swell their number. For Tanas it was prayer time of Mahatma with clang and cymbal. Let the children of one God demand right of way and privilege over children of another God and let them ram into communal retribution. Tanas are not that.
Vijay Deo Jha
Gumla
The story hadn’t occurred to us until; finally, it tormented us for not noticing.
It was like any normal day and time when we accidentally came across 70 years old Rati Tana Bhagat at village Karaundi in Gumla district arguing with the census official that he must be documented as the follower of a religion that many might not have heard, surely.
“Satt Ahimsa Gandhi Baba (truth, non-violence, Gandhi Baba),” this is my religion. Put it in your census record against the column of religion in your register.
Sweating profusely, Rati was gasping for breath probably due chronic asthma but, emphatic enough to make census officer Jitiya Oraon jittery to accommodate his religion on the census chart. Oraon told us that he is a primary school teacher and also president of Gumla Primary Teachers’ Association. Oraon was aware of the passion of Tanas for Mahatma Gandhi but he had no courage to convince them that there exists no column in the census form about the religion they insists to mention.
“I respect your sentiment and attachment for Mahatma Gandhi but there is no such column of religion in the census form,” Oraon makes last effort to find a way out. But by this time it was too late. Oraon had received overdose of mild rebuff hoping he will come to understand that how Tanas had embraced Gandhi’s movement for freedom struggle and Gandhian philosophy sans sophistry.
The old man is in no mood to compromise with his religion. Suddenly around 50 inquisitive Tana Bhagats clad in Khadi after emerging from daily prayer of Gandhi, joined the old man.
They insisted and remained firm till the poor school teacher had duly mentioned them as the follower of Satt Ahimsa Gandhi Baba religion. There may not be too many followers of the religion of this kind, before it insists to qualify officially, as a distinct religion in the Gazette of the government: a mixture of the fine elements of Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and many others. But before Oraon can pack-up and proceed they had put their thumb impression so that none could temper with their belief.
True to his name, Budhiman Tana Bhagat talked intelligently about the fast shrinking number of Tana Bhagat in Jharkhand and their problem. What Budhiman told reflected that he had some schooling as he appeared well equipped with the problem of Tanas. “We are tribal…but we follow Gandhiji as religion. There are few pockets in Lohardaga and Gumla where Tanas are now live,” he rued. Bisunpur, Ghaghra, Chnadrkop, Bamandih, Gazani, Kuru and few other he listed. There is no official record available to ascertain their number.
The British government had confiscated 3000 acres of their land as punishment for their unquestioned support for Mahatma. “Our land has not been returned…we are still to be granted cultivation right. Please tell the government about our problem. A year back government had assured us but nothing happened,” Budhiman said. The previous government of Madhu Koda had even announced to return such lands to the Tanas that did not graduate beyond the promise.
They had a long list of complaint but that does not douse their undying passion for Mahatma and his philosophy.
It is census time: Different religious bodies have regrouped to swell their number. For Tanas it was prayer time of Mahatma with clang and cymbal. Let the children of one God demand right of way and privilege over children of another God and let them ram into communal retribution. Tanas are not that.
Keshav Rao removed from CWC, loses charge of Jharkhand, WB
March 05, Saturday
VIJAY DEO JHA | Ranchi
K Keshav Rao — a story of two triumphs and many failures in Jharkhand, was removed from the good books of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Rao received a double thwack from Gandhi on Friday. He was not only removed from the post of AICC in-charge of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar, but also from the central Congress working committee.
The Congress has brought its Bihar leader, former union minister and party's national spokesperson Shakil Ahmed to look after the affairs of these three states. The Assembly election of West Bengal is in the offing.
Congress sources speaking to The Pioneer attributed three reasons behind Rao's removal. First: His poor performance in handling faction-ridden Jharkhand Congress and poor performance of the party in the Parliamentary and Assembly elections. Second: His open advocacy for a separate Telangana State that often landed the Congress on a sticky wicket.
But as far as the third reason is concerned - his removal from West Bengal - is open criticism of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee.
"She was not comfortable with the stand taken by Rao over creation of small states. She had lodged her concern with the party high command that Rao could be easily manoeuvered to support the cause of a separate Gorkhaland in West Bengal," a senior Congress leader said.
But the vital reason behind his removal remained the displeasure of Sonia Gandhi.
Rao was sent to Jharkhand to replace Ajay Maken who was not willing to continue as
Jharkhand Congress in-charge.
Rao at least has two achievements in Jharkhand to count as creditable. He manoeuvered JMM support for Congress' nominee in Rajya Sabha election 2009. Jharkhand was brought under President's rule and the JMM was desperate for Congress' support to form government. Smart politico Rao was quick to encash JMM's desperation and made JMM believe that the government formation exercise could be started only after the JMM supported Congress to win the RS seat. Naïve, JMM happily accepted the deal that ended in a dud when Rao refused to back any such initiative.
He became JMM's enemy number one, officially, and unofficially he earned some foes in his party too, who were desperate like any other JMM leader to form coalition government in Jharkhand.
Stitching an alliance with the Jharkhand Vikash Morcha in view of Jharkhand Assembly election was one of his successful efforts. The alliance produced two binary gains for the party, though small in measure. The Congress effectively used the support base of the JVM to increase its tally from 9 to 14. Clever enough not to give a long rope to the alliance partner in that election, Rao summed up JVM's claim for seats much below the expectations of JVM chief Babulal Marandi.
But then, he could not avoid becoming the pillar of factionalism in the party during and after the election. He was often blamed for maintaining status-quo for state Congress chief Pradeep Balmuchu who has overstayed the fixed tenure.
If he lured some to join the Congress he lost some faithful counts too like KK Agrawal, Alok Pathak, Bhukla Bhagat who openly blamed him and left the party.
Ahmed's appointment has been welcomed by the party. "He is an experienced leader and he is sure to inject fresh blood in the party," Congress leader Alok Dubey said.
After Rao's removal from the state scene, the camp lobbying for a fresh appointment of state Congress chief is feeling emboldened. Congress' fresh script this Friday was enough to cause grief to Rao.
Friday, March 4, 2011
‘Preoccupied' Makan gives Games closing event a miss
RANCHI | Sunday, February 27, 2011
VIJAY DEO JHA | RANCHI
What Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken took 20 minutes to say to Chief Minister Arjun Munda for skipping the 34th National Games closing ceremony, he could have said in a single word: Suresh Kalmadi!
Maken wasn't being Sports Minister; he was ministering the political fortunes of his party and government, under constant threat from the likes of Kalmadi for their involvement in the Commonwealth Games scam.
Sources in the CMO revealed that Munda personally spoke to Maken over telephone and persuaded him to attend the closing ceremony. But Maken is reported to have explained to Munda his preoccupation with the ongoing Parliament session.
However, well-placed sources in the Congress said that the presence of any Union Congress minister in the closing ceremony - except Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai, since he represents Ranchi, was quite unlikely due to the presence of IOA president Suresh Kalmadi, currently facing probe for his alleged involvement in the Commonwealth Games scam.
From the opening day of the Games, Kalmadi has been stationed in Jharkhand to supervise the Games that concluded on late Saturday evening after a colourful show.
Though it is customary for the Prime Minister and the President of the country to attend the opening and closing ceremony of the National Games, none turned up for Jharkhand.
Maken clarified to the electronic media that he was unable to attend the closing ceremony due to the ongoing parliamentary session, while denying reports that he did not want to share the dais with Kalamdi.
With the investigative agencies closing in on Kalmadi and, the chances of his arrest imminent; the Congress is keeping a safe distance from him.
The growing view in the Congress circle is that Kalmadi has become a liability for the party before and after the Commonwealth Games. The party has also not taken kindly to his recent attack on the Congress-led government in New Delhi for the mess in the Commonwealth Games.
"People like Kalmadi have made a dent on the fair image of the Government and the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Now, he is openly waging war against the party. Nobody wants to be associated with him, even to share a platform with him, especially Maken," a senior party official said.
RANCHI | Sunday, February 27, 2011 | Email | Print | | Back
Sporty politicians on turf to defeat each other
VIJAY DEO JHA | RANCHI
Jharkhand Olympic Association chairman, RK Anand and Union Tourism Minister and co-chairman, IOA Steering Committee, Subodh Kant Sahai, are locked in an intense battle to claim credit and success of the spectacular sports event.
During the concluding day of the Games on Saturday evening, Anand — unwillingly, though — mentioned the name of Sahai among the dignitaries present there; Sahai was quite loath to make even a passing reference Anand’s role in organising the Games.
They chose politically opposite place to watch each other—Anand with Shibu Soren, the chief of his former party JMM and, Sahai with jinxed IOA president Suresh Kalmadi, the man who badly needs a friend in this hour of crisis. The State Congress maintained a safe distance from the verbal spat of two of its leaders. But Sahai’s minions have taken up cudgels on his behalf in the past fortnight by roundly snubbing and hooting Anand.
Some days back exasperated local Congress workers in Ranchi held him up in the hotel lift for 15 minutes to pay him back for the disrespect he heaped on Sahai and the local party workers in the organisation of the National Games. The protesters let him go after a few manhandeled him and broke his costly spectacle.
Soon after the incident Anand dropped missive to the state government expressing apprehension over his life from some people. “Congress is an established national party…I don’t know who gave entry to such rogue elements in the party who assaulted me,” Anand told at a hurried Press conference.
Officially, the Congress maintained distance from this unruly show: Unofficially, they were Sahai’s men. Sources in the Congress attributed that their differences might have become public during the National Games but, the casus belli dates back when Sahai reportedly stalled Anand from getting Congress’ ticket for Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand, twice.
“Anand is known for clinging to the power. He joined JMM to get Rajya Sabha seat and he won. He jumped to the Congress with this intension. But Sahaiji stalled his nomination. Now he is trying to settle scores against him…this is basically a very personal sort of battle between the two,” a state Congress leader said.
This game had yet to come with some interesting turning points to cheer Anand and a chance to show Sahai his size. Three days back, Sahai was delegated the honour to distribute gold medal to the winner of a sport event in his capacity as Co-chairman of IOA Steering Committee. The last moment script was changed and Sahai was asked to distribute silver medal.
“Fearing the consequences of the corruption cases in the national games Anand is fawning BJP to save his skin. He is desperate to his loyalty by insulting Congress,” a close Sahay man said. On the evening of the grand opening of the national games on February 12 their differences too had a shady opening. Sahay was expecting to get boom-mike moment to claim credit for the national games which he was denied. Thankfully, Sahai got the chance to display his lung power this evening
Despite horror show of mismanagement during the game Anand will cart some of the trophies to his home. By the time the game will be over the catalogue of their differences will thicken.
Sporty politicians on turf to defeat each other
VIJAY DEO JHA | RANCHI
Jharkhand Olympic Association chairman, RK Anand and Union Tourism Minister and co-chairman, IOA Steering Committee, Subodh Kant Sahai, are locked in an intense battle to claim credit and success of the spectacular sports event.
During the concluding day of the Games on Saturday evening, Anand — unwillingly, though — mentioned the name of Sahai among the dignitaries present there; Sahai was quite loath to make even a passing reference Anand’s role in organising the Games.
They chose politically opposite place to watch each other—Anand with Shibu Soren, the chief of his former party JMM and, Sahai with jinxed IOA president Suresh Kalmadi, the man who badly needs a friend in this hour of crisis. The State Congress maintained a safe distance from the verbal spat of two of its leaders. But Sahai’s minions have taken up cudgels on his behalf in the past fortnight by roundly snubbing and hooting Anand.
Some days back exasperated local Congress workers in Ranchi held him up in the hotel lift for 15 minutes to pay him back for the disrespect he heaped on Sahai and the local party workers in the organisation of the National Games. The protesters let him go after a few manhandeled him and broke his costly spectacle.
Soon after the incident Anand dropped missive to the state government expressing apprehension over his life from some people. “Congress is an established national party…I don’t know who gave entry to such rogue elements in the party who assaulted me,” Anand told at a hurried Press conference.
Officially, the Congress maintained distance from this unruly show: Unofficially, they were Sahai’s men. Sources in the Congress attributed that their differences might have become public during the National Games but, the casus belli dates back when Sahai reportedly stalled Anand from getting Congress’ ticket for Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand, twice.
“Anand is known for clinging to the power. He joined JMM to get Rajya Sabha seat and he won. He jumped to the Congress with this intension. But Sahaiji stalled his nomination. Now he is trying to settle scores against him…this is basically a very personal sort of battle between the two,” a state Congress leader said.
This game had yet to come with some interesting turning points to cheer Anand and a chance to show Sahai his size. Three days back, Sahai was delegated the honour to distribute gold medal to the winner of a sport event in his capacity as Co-chairman of IOA Steering Committee. The last moment script was changed and Sahai was asked to distribute silver medal.
“Fearing the consequences of the corruption cases in the national games Anand is fawning BJP to save his skin. He is desperate to his loyalty by insulting Congress,” a close Sahay man said. On the evening of the grand opening of the national games on February 12 their differences too had a shady opening. Sahay was expecting to get boom-mike moment to claim credit for the national games which he was denied. Thankfully, Sahai got the chance to display his lung power this evening
Despite horror show of mismanagement during the game Anand will cart some of the trophies to his home. By the time the game will be over the catalogue of their differences will thicken.
Move to ‘coax' unwilling Das to run for Jamshedpur seat
RANCHI | Thursday, March 3, 2011
VIJAY DEO JHA/PARVINDAR BHATIA | RANCHI/JAMSHEDPUR
There is an unusual buzz in the BJP house largely surrounding Raghuwar Das, an unwilling candidate for Jamshedpur parliamentary seat. Ironically, Das' detractors are wishing and planning for his success!
Following the resignation of Chief Minister Arjun Munda, the Jamshedpur seat has gone vacant. Munda won the Kharsawan Assembly by-election. Known for their mutual resentment and opposition to each other - Munda and Das have left no effort to cut down each other's political size.
The Jamshedpur episode seems to be coming full circle once again. In 2009 general election, Das as the state BJP head had successfully pushed Munda out of State politics by persuading central BJP to field him from Jamshedpur. Das did it with an eye to the Assembly election, fearing that Munda's presence would prevent him from extending his sway.
Das' master stroke hit Munda perfectly, but it was short-lived to make any impact. Munda manoeuvered his comeback in State politics and formed the coalition government with the old combine that had led to the fall of the then Shibu Soren Government.
But fielding Das is subject to several factors of coalition politics and the number of desperate and unemployed faces in the BJP that are nudging to be considered for the seat.
After supporting the BJP and Munda in Kharsawan against the mounting Opposition assault, the JMM now has demanded BJP to support it in Jamshedpur. Even in the BJP it will not be easy to sort out the competing clamour from an exhaustive catalogue. The Election Commission of India is yet to announce the schedule for Jamshedpur.
State BJP president Dineshananda Goswami, former MLA Dinesh Sarangi, Saryu Rai and many others are believed to be in the race. Das may hope for more confusion and chaos on the party and, coalition front over Jamshedpur, before his adversaries come forward with innocent looks and devious script against him.
Sources in BP said that a group is silently working behind the scenes to push Das for Jamshedpur, using the same old argument which Das' camp had once used for Munda for Jamshedpur.
"Das could undoubtedly prove the strongest candidate of the BJP for Jamshedpur seat. But then, it is premature to make any comment," a close Munda man said guardedly.
It is not that Das has no inkling and fear of this design. He feigns ignorance though. "This may be the talk of the town. People might have been talking about me…I do not know what is going on the party front," Das told The Pioneer.
But Das has been advised not to succumb to any pressure that primarily aims to clear the field for Munda. By shunting him out of the State politics to the national level, Das will have no role to play. Munda may get premium benefit in the long run but his trusted lieutenant like Amarpreet Singh Kale, BJP spokesperson, have set sight on Das' constituency Jamshedpur (East).
Failing to prevent Munda from becoming CM of the coalition government, last year, Das was subdued after receiving condemnation from party's central leadership. To his credit, Das has prevented a total polarisation of the state BJP in favour of Munda that often prostrates when asked to bend.
Noone killed Nirupama
Journalist Nirupama forced to commit suicide?
RANCHI | Thursday, March 3, 2011
VIJAY DEO JHA | RANCHI
After a botched autopsy and a thoroughly unprofessional investigation, the Koderma police stumbled finally to report that Delhi-based journalist Nirupama Pathak was not murdered but had committed suicide.
The police on Wednesday appealed to the Koderma CGM court to issue arrest warrant against Nirupama's boyfriend Priyabhansu Ranjan, her father Dharmendra Pathak, mother Sudha Pathak and two brothers Salil Pathak and Samrendra Pathak for instigating her to commit suicide.
Addressing a Press conference, the Koderma SP Kranti Kumar informed the media and said that prayer for warrants has been made against these persons. Nevertheless, Sudha was the lone accused in this case coming out of jail after judicial custody.
One of the sensational cases of last year, 22-year-old Nirupama, working with Business Standard was found dead under suspicious circumstance at her native house in Jhumri Tallayia in April last.
Nirupama was three months pregnant with Ranjan's child, her classmate at IIMC, New Delhi.
The doctors conducting post mortem on her body concluded it was a case of smothering. But they never preserved the viscera and foetus that could prove to be vital during the investigations. Questions were raised over the authenticity of the report after doctors admitted that they were not trained to conduct post mortem. National media termed it to be a case of honour killing. Ranjan and media even piloted a sustained campaign in New Delhi with candle march to punish the culprits. But a report by AIIMS experts silenced all terming it as a case of suicide.
Nirupama wanted to marry Ranjan much against the wishes of her family. And the evidences suggest that Nirupama during her stay at her home had sent many SMSs to Ranjan that her family was pressurising her to abandon her marriage plan. Ranjan did not respond to any.
Soon after her death, Ranjan took away her laptop from her New Delhi residence, as he used to keep the duplicate key to her flat, and erased the data. It led the police to suspect Ranjan, a native of Darbhanga district in Bihar. People close to him said that Ranjan never informed his family about his intimate relations with the deceased journalist.
Noone killed Nirupama
Journalist Nirupama forced to commit suicide?
RANCHI | Thursday, March 3, 2011
VIJAY DEO JHA | RANCHI
After a botched autopsy and a thoroughly unprofessional investigation, the Koderma police stumbled finally to report that Delhi-based journalist Nirupama Pathak was not murdered but had committed suicide.
The police on Wednesday appealed to the Koderma CGM court to issue arrest warrant against Nirupama's boyfriend Priyabhansu Ranjan, her father Dharmendra Pathak, mother Sudha Pathak and two brothers Salil Pathak and Samrendra Pathak for instigating her to commit suicide.
Addressing a Press conference, the Koderma SP Kranti Kumar informed the media and said that prayer for warrants has been made against these persons. Nevertheless, Sudha was the lone accused in this case coming out of jail after judicial custody.
One of the sensational cases of last year, 22-year-old Nirupama, working with Business Standard was found dead under suspicious circumstance at her native house in Jhumri Tallayia in April last.
Nirupama was three months pregnant with Ranjan's child, her classmate at IIMC, New Delhi.
The doctors conducting post mortem on her body concluded it was a case of smothering. But they never preserved the viscera and foetus that could prove to be vital during the investigations. Questions were raised over the authenticity of the report after doctors admitted that they were not trained to conduct post mortem. National media termed it to be a case of honour killing. Ranjan and media even piloted a sustained campaign in New Delhi with candle march to punish the culprits. But a report by AIIMS experts silenced all terming it as a case of suicide.
Nirupama wanted to marry Ranjan much against the wishes of her family. And the evidences suggest that Nirupama during her stay at her home had sent many SMSs to Ranjan that her family was pressurising her to abandon her marriage plan. Ranjan did not respond to any.
Soon after her death, Ranjan took away her laptop from her New Delhi residence, as he used to keep the duplicate key to her flat, and erased the data. It led the police to suspect Ranjan, a native of Darbhanga district in Bihar. People close to him said that Ranjan never informed his family about his intimate relations with the deceased journalist.
He coughed twice but nothing clear over corruption case against CS
VIJAY DEO JHA
RANCHI
Chief Minister Arjun Munda coughed twice to get ‘pitch perfect’ to answer Opposition’s charges, but then, he offered nothing tactile over corruption case against Chief Secretary Ashok Kumar Singh, whose removal the Opposition sought vehemently.
As united Opposition continued to demand the removal of Singh it demanded Munda to clear the stand of the government, even on Thursday, the first half of ongoing budget session was clearly Opposition’s show.
Rushing to the Well and designating Congress MLA Sawna Lakra as the Speaker Opposition ran a parallel session inside the House as the session started. Speaker CP Singh took strong exception to this and suspended four Congress MLAs; Chandraekhar Dubey, KN Tripathi, Sawna Lakra and Yogendra Saw and one JVM MLA Pradeep Yadav for rest of the days of the budget session. Amid din and chaos nothing was audible except Speaker hurriedly announcing “the House has been adjourned.”
Exasperated Yadav alleged the Speaker for blatant partisan. “Speaker seems to have fallen in the pocket of the government. He was expected to safeguard Opposition’s democratic right,” he said. As the Opposition continued to rant and raze treasury’s robust lungs, Satyanand Jha Batul, Umashankar Yadav Akela, and Raja Peter, too proved feeble voices whose service the treasury bench badly required.
Sensing probably, the suspension could cement Opposition’s unity against the government the BJP MLA Raghwar Das requested Singh to revoke their suspension.
The Opposition returned to the House in the second half of the session to take part in the debate over the speech of the Governor MOH Farook. But CS’ removal continued to be the signature tune of the Opposition. Thick charges often flew from the Opposition against Munda for protecting CS despite the Bihar Government sought permission from its Jharkhand counterpart to grant permission to prosecute him in one of the vigilance cases against him during the time undivided Bihar.
“If a corrupt official like Singh continues to hold such an important position in the government, fingers have been raised on the intention of the CM too. We want to know it from him,” a joint chorus of the Opposition was loud and clear.
Yadav was leading a precision attack on the government. “Munda had not granted permission to prosecute him in 2005 against Singh when he (Munda) was Chief Minister. Even today he is doing the same,” he said.
The Opposition had come prepared with voluminous documents to substantiate charges against CS as well as the list of his properties. In 2005 when Munda was the Chief Minister he had denied prosecution against Singh.
And when Munda rose to reply he was interrupted by frequent interruptions. “Our stand against corruption is well known. Opposition has raised certain issue,” Munda said.
He did not list his own burden for not granting permission: political, personal or otherwise. He simply placed onus on certain legal issues. “The place of occurrence of the case is undivided Bihar. We need to look into these aspects also. We will take legal opinion,” he said.
He pocked fun at the Opposition for running a histrionic show. “Sometimes anxiety level goes high. I understand.” It rang true for Munda too, he had counted too much upon his sore vertebra against Opposition’s formidable spine.
VIJAY DEO JHA
RANCHI
Chief Minister Arjun Munda coughed twice to get ‘pitch perfect’ to answer Opposition’s charges, but then, he offered nothing tactile over corruption case against Chief Secretary Ashok Kumar Singh, whose removal the Opposition sought vehemently.
As united Opposition continued to demand the removal of Singh it demanded Munda to clear the stand of the government, even on Thursday, the first half of ongoing budget session was clearly Opposition’s show.
Rushing to the Well and designating Congress MLA Sawna Lakra as the Speaker Opposition ran a parallel session inside the House as the session started. Speaker CP Singh took strong exception to this and suspended four Congress MLAs; Chandraekhar Dubey, KN Tripathi, Sawna Lakra and Yogendra Saw and one JVM MLA Pradeep Yadav for rest of the days of the budget session. Amid din and chaos nothing was audible except Speaker hurriedly announcing “the House has been adjourned.”
Exasperated Yadav alleged the Speaker for blatant partisan. “Speaker seems to have fallen in the pocket of the government. He was expected to safeguard Opposition’s democratic right,” he said. As the Opposition continued to rant and raze treasury’s robust lungs, Satyanand Jha Batul, Umashankar Yadav Akela, and Raja Peter, too proved feeble voices whose service the treasury bench badly required.
Sensing probably, the suspension could cement Opposition’s unity against the government the BJP MLA Raghwar Das requested Singh to revoke their suspension.
The Opposition returned to the House in the second half of the session to take part in the debate over the speech of the Governor MOH Farook. But CS’ removal continued to be the signature tune of the Opposition. Thick charges often flew from the Opposition against Munda for protecting CS despite the Bihar Government sought permission from its Jharkhand counterpart to grant permission to prosecute him in one of the vigilance cases against him during the time undivided Bihar.
“If a corrupt official like Singh continues to hold such an important position in the government, fingers have been raised on the intention of the CM too. We want to know it from him,” a joint chorus of the Opposition was loud and clear.
Yadav was leading a precision attack on the government. “Munda had not granted permission to prosecute him in 2005 against Singh when he (Munda) was Chief Minister. Even today he is doing the same,” he said.
The Opposition had come prepared with voluminous documents to substantiate charges against CS as well as the list of his properties. In 2005 when Munda was the Chief Minister he had denied prosecution against Singh.
And when Munda rose to reply he was interrupted by frequent interruptions. “Our stand against corruption is well known. Opposition has raised certain issue,” Munda said.
He did not list his own burden for not granting permission: political, personal or otherwise. He simply placed onus on certain legal issues. “The place of occurrence of the case is undivided Bihar. We need to look into these aspects also. We will take legal opinion,” he said.
He pocked fun at the Opposition for running a histrionic show. “Sometimes anxiety level goes high. I understand.” It rang true for Munda too, he had counted too much upon his sore vertebra against Opposition’s formidable spine.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Opp charges BJP with using money, muscle
RANCHI | Thursday, February 10, 2011
VIJAY DEO JHA | RANCHI
The Election Commission office on Wednesday was deluged with complaints from Congress-JVM combine, alleging that Chief Minister and BJP candidate Arjun Munda was deploying the dirty tricks department to win Kharsawan Assembly bypoll.
Wednesday evening a delegation of Opposition MLAs, led by Congress spokesperson Radhakrishna Kishore; met Assistant Electoral Officer, Anjani Kumar Mishra, and handed over a list of complaints over the misuse of money and muscle by Munda’s men.
Opposition blamed the Commission for failing to assure free and fair election and announced ‘to sit on demonstration’ in front of the Commission’s office on election day (Thursday), to lodge their protest.
Mishra assured them to look into the matter and said that the election will be conducted free and fair.
The BJP chucked the allegation in the bin as “false and fabricated,” and rubbed salt in Opposition’s wound. “They have conceded defeat before the election as the public mandate is on the side of Mundaji,” State BJP spokesperson Pradeep Sinha said.
He rejected the charges as baseless and defended the Commission as a sacred and vigilant institution committed to conduct free and fair election.
Kishore at a Press conference listed the complaints that read like a chargesheet. “The BJP has deployed criminals to win this election. Voters are either terrorised or beseeched to vote for Munda which is well in the knowledge of the local administration,” Kishore said.
“The sorry part it seems is that Commission’s writ runs no more in Kharsawan. We have made at least a dozen complaints to the Commission about the incidences where the Opposition leaders and workers were threatened and harassed,” he said.
In one of the cases of political clash the Kharsawan BJP leader Sadhu Charan Mahato is alleged to have thrashed one Lal Babu Sardar, a JVM worker at Gamharia block under Ranamati village on Thursday.
Kishore went on to say: “People like Sadhu are taking law in their hands because administration has closed its eyes.” Yesterday he had manhandled party’s Gamhariya block president, Lakshman Mahato, and one Sushen Mahato for canvassing in favour of the JVM candidate Dashrath Gagrai aka Krishna Gagrai.
The JVM released its fury and complaints against the BJP and Munda. These are yet to be confirmed as no official was ready to speak.
Charge number one: On Wednesday, JVM’s election in-charge Ramesh Rahi claimed, security forces detained four Scorpio vehicles and seized five rifles at Sinni More in Kharsawan. They were released later and the matter was hushed-up, he alleged.
Charge number two: Two trucks laden with rice were detained in Khutpani block. These were meant to be distributed among people by the BJP, he charged.
Charge number three: Munda’s brother-in-law Suvash has been trying to influence the voters with wads of currency in the area around Dalbhanga, Selahatu and Giluwa in Kharsawan.
Charge number four: State’s Excise Minister Raja Peter has been camping in Kharsawan and using his official position which is against the Election code.
Charge number five: Criminal elements supporting BJP given free hand by the administration.
Back in Ranchi, the day witnessed charges and countercharges, while it was all about political manoeuvering in Kharsawan. It is over to Kharsawan where battle lines are drawn.
RANCHI | Friday, February 11, 2011
No jubilation in Kharsawan, only anxious wait for result
RANCHI | Friday, February 11, 2011
VIJAY DEO JHA | RANCHI
Kharsawan returned with 70 per cent of total poll’ will be the banner headline of the newspapers but, do miss the news that neither camp- the BJP and JVM-Congress Opposition -throw any celebration party after the polling was over.
The Opposition, though, under a well-planned strategy staged ‘sit-in-demonstration,’ on polling day (Thursday) alleging misuse of state machinery by the Chief Minister and BJP candidate Arjun Munda. But, it returned satisfied this evening and termed the election free and fair.
“Barring a few incidents it was largely a free and fair election. We have offered a close contest to the BJP. The poll pattern offers no such clue to announce the winner and the loser. It is a fifty-fifty game,” Congress spokesperson Radhakrishna Kishore told The Pioneer.
The BJP camp conceded the same, though privately, that the day did not offer hands down win to Munda. “We are sure about his victory, but not about the margin,” a senior BJP leader claimed with muted confidence.
Kharsawan, after all, is the home constituency of Munda where he completed his internship in politics and rose to become Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Every election he contested from Kharsawan, he vanquished his opponents with phenomenal margin. And this time too, Munda-camp expected him to rout his opponent with this miracle.
Even neutral observers like Indranil Sinha who closely watched the fast-changing Kharsawan poll scenario opined that the margin could be around 6,000 to 15,000 votes.
“A swing of around two to three per cent of vote holds the key to the success of a candidate. Munda is likely to win but not with a huge margin,” Sinha said soon after the polling was over.
Kharsawan spread in five blocks-Kharsawan, Kuchai, Khutpani, Gamharia and Saraikela, witnessed a close contest between Arjun Munda of the BJP and Opposition-backed candidate Dashrath aka Krishna Gagrai.
The JVM sources claimed having complete sway over the BJP in Kutpani block which has 51 booths. “Here we have been able to garner around 70 per cent of the total votes,” JVM’s election in charge Ramesh Rahi told The Pioneer. The JVM did not voice similar claims over Kharsawan where Munda and BJP remained the only signature tune of the day.
About the rest of the three blocks - Kuchai, Khutpani, Gamharia and Saraikela; both BJP and JVM leaders made their own claims. But none is sure on who is going to be the casualty of voters’ backlash.
On record, both the camps have come to interpret the high voter turnout as an indicator of their victory and privately, also the cause of their fear. JVM chief Babulal Marandi had planned a fine strategy to reduce his arch rival Munda from Arjun to Abhimanyu. But the news trickling from the battlefield is that Munda succeeded in frustrating Marandi with his well-knit team of poll managers on the polling day.
As silence descended over Kharsawan, worried faces were busy assessing the losses and gains in the poll battle. The anxious wait will end next Thursday.
No jubilation in Kharsawan, only anxious wait for result
RANCHI | Friday, February 11, 2011
VIJAY DEO JHA | RANCHI
Kharsawan returned with 70 per cent of total poll’ will be the banner headline of the newspapers but, do miss the news that neither camp- the BJP and JVM-Congress Opposition -throw any celebration party after the polling was over.
The Opposition, though, under a well-planned strategy staged ‘sit-in-demonstration,’ on polling day (Thursday) alleging misuse of state machinery by the Chief Minister and BJP candidate Arjun Munda. But, it returned satisfied this evening and termed the election free and fair.
“Barring a few incidents it was largely a free and fair election. We have offered a close contest to the BJP. The poll pattern offers no such clue to announce the winner and the loser. It is a fifty-fifty game,” Congress spokesperson Radhakrishna Kishore told The Pioneer.
The BJP camp conceded the same, though privately, that the day did not offer hands down win to Munda. “We are sure about his victory, but not about the margin,” a senior BJP leader claimed with muted confidence.
Kharsawan, after all, is the home constituency of Munda where he completed his internship in politics and rose to become Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Every election he contested from Kharsawan, he vanquished his opponents with phenomenal margin. And this time too, Munda-camp expected him to rout his opponent with this miracle.
Even neutral observers like Indranil Sinha who closely watched the fast-changing Kharsawan poll scenario opined that the margin could be around 6,000 to 15,000 votes.
“A swing of around two to three per cent of vote holds the key to the success of a candidate. Munda is likely to win but not with a huge margin,” Sinha said soon after the polling was over.
Kharsawan spread in five blocks-Kharsawan, Kuchai, Khutpani, Gamharia and Saraikela, witnessed a close contest between Arjun Munda of the BJP and Opposition-backed candidate Dashrath aka Krishna Gagrai.
The JVM sources claimed having complete sway over the BJP in Kutpani block which has 51 booths. “Here we have been able to garner around 70 per cent of the total votes,” JVM’s election in charge Ramesh Rahi told The Pioneer. The JVM did not voice similar claims over Kharsawan where Munda and BJP remained the only signature tune of the day.
About the rest of the three blocks - Kuchai, Khutpani, Gamharia and Saraikela; both BJP and JVM leaders made their own claims. But none is sure on who is going to be the casualty of voters’ backlash.
On record, both the camps have come to interpret the high voter turnout as an indicator of their victory and privately, also the cause of their fear. JVM chief Babulal Marandi had planned a fine strategy to reduce his arch rival Munda from Arjun to Abhimanyu. But the news trickling from the battlefield is that Munda succeeded in frustrating Marandi with his well-knit team of poll managers on the polling day.
As silence descended over Kharsawan, worried faces were busy assessing the losses and gains in the poll battle. The anxious wait will end next Thursday.
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