VIJAY DEO JHA
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Time to celebrate but no time for introspection
VIJAY DEO JHA
RANCHI
Rahul Gandhi, Jharkhand Congress calls your attention for an urgent housekeeping: your party is lurching to a cold and tearful end in Jharkhand.
Gandhi twice visited Jharkhand in 2009 and 2010 to recruit young and youthful in the party and its party’s youth wing and instructed immediate membership drive.
The drive netted less members and courted more controversies for forging a fraud list of membership. Only the number of leaders has grown but not workers, far and few left in a forced hibernation. And its staunch supporters are wheezing on expired emotion, too unattached and anaemic even to talk about the party today.
“We have deserted old tradition of Congress. Full timers have been replaced by part timers. We need a serious review,” Arun Pandey who took retirement from active party politics observed. Pandey does not shy in going so straightforward because he has nothing to lose because he has already played his innings in the party. “But we can’t speak. Ideologically and organizationally we have made lapses. Sorry part is that nobody even takes cognizance and the Centre is too indifferent,” a senior party functionary said. It gets worse than that funereal lament.
When Congress actually severed ties with party tradition and the masses that matters? It was probably after the end of popular era of Satyadev Narayan Tiwari and Jagganath Prasad Chaudhary who had called a many public stirs and kept the party organizationally robust and mobile.
The pity for the Congress is which its spokesperson Sailesh Sinha denied strongly. “It is the oldest party having its root in the mass. We regularly raise public issue in Jharkhand. It is the strength that helped the party to survive and grow from the last 127 years. Our shares in vote have leaped in double digit,” he said.
It is hard to remember the last time the Congress as a credible opposition actually courted any mass agitation to show its organizational mobility, never mind sporadic and splintered show of protest here and there aiming to secure media space.
State Congress in-charge Sakil Ahmed has specially arrived to take part in 127th foundation ceremony of the Congress to be held in Ranchi on Sunday. “I am sure when the pamphlet of spectacular achievements of the Congress will be read Jharkhand will blush them. There isn’t much left for Congressmen in Jharkhand. All the messes and culture adhocism in party here has been created by central leadership. Some of the district and block presidents will be felicitated for their good performance on this occasion for all that they have not done. This is a deeply divided Congress where everybody is loyal to somebody. Our meetings end with fight…what more,” a senior leader courted anonymity.
That cost party dearly in Jamshedpur parliamentary by-election. It lost because of open differences among seniors like state party president Pradeep balmuchu and Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay. Party discipline has been tossed in air. The much hyped report of the committee of KN Jha over party indiscipline during and after Jamshedpur was shelved that believed to have passed serious stricture over Balmuchu and some other leaders.
Organizational elections are an unscheduled affair and a full time elected president is an old demand. Balmuchu overstayed beyond his tenure otherwise he had to be replaced after 2008 state organizational election. Three years later slumbering central Congress leadership granted him one year of extension leaving large section of party grudging. Why to blame Balmuchu alone, rests are equally responsible including central leadership for killing the spirit of party workers,” retorted one.
The people like former Congress MP Gayanranjan, Tiwari are not among the list of mourners. That’s how lonely your party’s Jharkhand cortege is, Rahul Gandhi.
VIJAY DEO JHA
RANCHI
Rahul Gandhi, Jharkhand Congress calls your attention for an urgent housekeeping: your party is lurching to a cold and tearful end in Jharkhand.
Gandhi twice visited Jharkhand in 2009 and 2010 to recruit young and youthful in the party and its party’s youth wing and instructed immediate membership drive.
The drive netted less members and courted more controversies for forging a fraud list of membership. Only the number of leaders has grown but not workers, far and few left in a forced hibernation. And its staunch supporters are wheezing on expired emotion, too unattached and anaemic even to talk about the party today.
“We have deserted old tradition of Congress. Full timers have been replaced by part timers. We need a serious review,” Arun Pandey who took retirement from active party politics observed. Pandey does not shy in going so straightforward because he has nothing to lose because he has already played his innings in the party. “But we can’t speak. Ideologically and organizationally we have made lapses. Sorry part is that nobody even takes cognizance and the Centre is too indifferent,” a senior party functionary said. It gets worse than that funereal lament.
When Congress actually severed ties with party tradition and the masses that matters? It was probably after the end of popular era of Satyadev Narayan Tiwari and Jagganath Prasad Chaudhary who had called a many public stirs and kept the party organizationally robust and mobile.
The pity for the Congress is which its spokesperson Sailesh Sinha denied strongly. “It is the oldest party having its root in the mass. We regularly raise public issue in Jharkhand. It is the strength that helped the party to survive and grow from the last 127 years. Our shares in vote have leaped in double digit,” he said.
It is hard to remember the last time the Congress as a credible opposition actually courted any mass agitation to show its organizational mobility, never mind sporadic and splintered show of protest here and there aiming to secure media space.
State Congress in-charge Sakil Ahmed has specially arrived to take part in 127th foundation ceremony of the Congress to be held in Ranchi on Sunday. “I am sure when the pamphlet of spectacular achievements of the Congress will be read Jharkhand will blush them. There isn’t much left for Congressmen in Jharkhand. All the messes and culture adhocism in party here has been created by central leadership. Some of the district and block presidents will be felicitated for their good performance on this occasion for all that they have not done. This is a deeply divided Congress where everybody is loyal to somebody. Our meetings end with fight…what more,” a senior leader courted anonymity.
That cost party dearly in Jamshedpur parliamentary by-election. It lost because of open differences among seniors like state party president Pradeep balmuchu and Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay. Party discipline has been tossed in air. The much hyped report of the committee of KN Jha over party indiscipline during and after Jamshedpur was shelved that believed to have passed serious stricture over Balmuchu and some other leaders.
Organizational elections are an unscheduled affair and a full time elected president is an old demand. Balmuchu overstayed beyond his tenure otherwise he had to be replaced after 2008 state organizational election. Three years later slumbering central Congress leadership granted him one year of extension leaving large section of party grudging. Why to blame Balmuchu alone, rests are equally responsible including central leadership for killing the spirit of party workers,” retorted one.
The people like former Congress MP Gayanranjan, Tiwari are not among the list of mourners. That’s how lonely your party’s Jharkhand cortege is, Rahul Gandhi.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Munda accepts responsibilities; shifts half blame on Centre
Munda accepts responsibilities; shifts half blame on Centre
VIJAY DEO JHA
Palamu/ Garhwa
After three days of ground searching of the development and deprivation of the Palamu division it is time to make promises and blunt blame game, too.
Before taking chopper ride to Ranchi after completing three day road visit of Palamu division Chief Minister Arjun Munda, on Friday, assured to gush the region with development.
“By the end of March Palamu power grid will be connected with Hatia grid to end power blue. The government will explore the possibility of establishing power plant. All of its pending irrigation projects within the division will be completed top priority basis,” Munda told the media in Garhwa before leaving to Ranchi.
Other than decade long negligence and the lack of robust executive will in bringing development here Munda sprang a third angle if Jharkhand got an unalloyed infamy for its bad roads specially in the Palamu division.
Munda spent two and half days travelling along the roads of Latehar, Palamu and Garhwa. He was clearly in no mood to waste or waffle; his bag of unrequited grouses, in fact, lay unpacked during the journey, old whine in new throttle. “I have seen the condition of two of the National Highways—75 and 98 which don’t deserve to be called as road. The Centre has been prejudicial towards Jharkhand. Our repeated demands have fallen in the deaf ears,” Munda said. The CM was not letting the demands of politeness tone down his thrust or temper.
Sources in the CMO confided that after taking stock of pitiable conditions of two highways the government mulling a PR offensive against the Centre. “Things needed to be brought before people. The Opposition often blames the government even about bad condition national highways whereas state government is nowhere responsible. Best thing is to make video footage of these roads send it to the Centre as a proof and upload it on government websites,” a senior CMO officer said. The Centre on its part has often been heard claiming that the state failed to utilize funds.
Munda held scores of public and party meetings from one stop to another-- Belchampa,Chetna, Meral, Ramna, Nagar Untari and Bhwnathpur in Garhwa. He was ringing signature tune of development; dexterously hemming social development with economic one that pleased many. But that often got distracted amid the chorus of decade long unfulfilled demands of development. Fate of proposed Mandal Dam project Kanhar Dam project (proposed in 1974) and others are in limbo. Scheme of urban water supply in Daltonganj has not fetched even a glass of pure water though the administration is talking about the second phase of its expansion. Roads have lost in potholes and craters. Palmau survives on merely 35 mw of electricity supplied by Bihar; too little to fight the darkness leave talking anything surplus to power any plant or project.
Those who called his visit an expansive political show sans any administrative orientation under elaborate security arrangement; he called their attention towards his dedication for development. “I will make visit after three months once again to see changed ground. It is my responsibility,” Munda told the pioneer.
Sources in the CMO confided that government has already formed a ‘Direct Monitoring Unit,’ for a direct monitoring of the development projects. “He can achieve his target provided he tighten and tame bureaucrats who are critical notch in his fancied delivery mechanism,” a former bureaucrat said. At least Munda was not under any misconception about systematic failure of administration in this naxal hit belt specially to mention Palamu.
Palamu remained on the radar of the government despite pretty polished Palamu DC Puja Singhal tried to cover-up unbrushed realism.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Balmuchu’s extension runs in crisis
VIJAY DEO JHA
RANCHI
State Congress in crisis is everyday’s story unceasingly told and written. But the crisis this time is more confounded with state party unit developing a dangerous fault-line over community issue following the decision of Central Congress leadership to continue Pradeep Balmuchu as state president for another one year. The announcement made on Friday angered scores of party leaders who privately told that Balmuchu belonging to a particular religious community was the only merit that helped him to continue on this post.
It is despite majority of state leaders and workers, in the past, rose to rebellion against his style of functioning with countless numbers of petitions sent to the central leadership pointing his failed leadership in the past six years.
“It is not because we failed to convince central leadership. Delhi is aware of the way Balmuchu messed the party, electorally and organizationally. It is a very motivated kind of decision that is not going to motivate the party,” a senior party leader angrily said. Sources in the party confided that Balmuchu has the support of powerful Christian lobby in Ranchi and Delhi. Name AICC general secretary, Oscar Fernandes; they will quickly refer you quite popular buzz in the party, “Oscar kaa haath Bablmuchu ke saath, (Oscar who hands protects Balmuchu),” to refer the kind of support Balmuchu has been enjoying.
“We had met Oscar sahib last time to apprise him about the condition the party has faced during the tenure of Balmuchu. He had promised us a change in a week…a new president for state unit he had assured. We were fooled. We feel cheated,” a senior Muslim leader of the party said.
A miffed display of displeasure may not wait for a long to turn into an open rebellion as another prominent Muslim leader cautioned. “We are assembling on November 15 during co-ordination committee meeting in Ranchi. We will not remain silent. We will lodge our protest. Private and sectarian interest have been given precedence over composite nature of the Congress,” the leader said. Though, top Muslim faces of the party —former Godda MP Furkan Ansari, former Pakur MLA Alamgir Alam and Gandey MLA Sarfaraz Ahmed—tactically remained silent but they are believed to be representing disgruntled group.
Disgruntled leaders said that the continuation of Balmuchu will further alienate Muslims and Saran tribals from the party.
“The state party had authorized national president Sonia Gandhi to take a decision over appointment of state president. I can’t comment over the merit of the decision,” Alam said. Nevertheless, Central Congress leadership snubbed the controversy saying that state president post is not a kind of permanent kind of thing and Balmuchu has given extension for a year, no more. So was a party leader supposed to be close to Balmuchu who said that the central leadership took the decision to end any confusion among the party workers at a time when the schedules of the Mandu assembly by-election has been announced.
Some of the party insiders questioned the very rationale. “Central leadership many times promised to change him during and after parliamentary and assembly elections. Nothing happened,” one said. Balmuchu finally resigned after Jamshedpur debacle and the central leadership remained tightlipped to relieve him finally. In a badly divided state Congress, central leadership, probably, faced the problem in choosing a president one who could be acceptable to all. For time being it decided to keep Balmuchu and let controversy goes on.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Advani manages to speak only for 15 minutes
Sunday, 23 October 2011 00:37
Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi
A grand welcome show has often been a tantalising political prospect for a leader but not in the case of BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani who disliked the huge motorcycle rally the party arranged to escort him from Birsa Munda Airport to Morhabadi Ground on Friday for Jan Chetna Rally. Advani already late on schedule hardly spoke for 15 minutes, even less, during the rally. Even after, the State BJP could have managed another 20 minutes for him to speak provided it would not have messed up his journey from Birsa Munda Airport to Morahabadi Ground in the motorcycle rally."We would have spared another 20 minutes more for Advaniji to speak. In fact precious 45 minutes were wasted from the airport to the rally ground as his cavalcade was sandwiched in a huge motorcycle rally," a senior party functionary said.Advani coming from Kolkata to Ranchi by air was already late on his schedule against the pre-announced programme of 11.30 am. He reached the rally ground around 12.45 pm, started his speech at 12.52 pm and ended it at 1.05 pm. Advani also sought apology for his brief stay here in Ranchi saying that he was scheduled to address another rally in Nicobar for which he needed to move fast as we would not be permitted land after 3.30 pm as per the rule of the airport authority of Nicobar airport.Party insiders said that the idea of a grand welcome of Advani by escorting him to the rally point by motorcycle rally was the part of the plan of to offer him an impressive show of support. "But once he arrived late the plan should have been dropped. In fact his cavalcade was caught in a traffic chaos created by motorcycle-borne party workers who were deputed welcome Advaniji," source said.One of the leaders, who was part of the team deputed to escort Advani to the rally ground, admitted that Advani in hurry to reach the ground even expressed concern that such a huge show might cause delay to him.As per the schedule, the State leadership had planned around 45 minutes for Advani's speech. Ravishankar Prasad and Anant Kumar, one out of two Central leaders accompanying him were also scheduled to address the rally besides Chief Minister Arjun Munda and State BJP president Dineshananda Goswami. Munda had to finished his speech in less than two minutes. Goswami got no time even for a customary welcome speech. In terms of arrangement the rally was a marked improvement on the two previous rallies of Advani in Ranchi. What dismayed State BJP and workers was the point that they got less time to hear the senior leader.
Sunday, 23 October 2011 00:37
Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi
A grand welcome show has often been a tantalising political prospect for a leader but not in the case of BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani who disliked the huge motorcycle rally the party arranged to escort him from Birsa Munda Airport to Morhabadi Ground on Friday for Jan Chetna Rally. Advani already late on schedule hardly spoke for 15 minutes, even less, during the rally. Even after, the State BJP could have managed another 20 minutes for him to speak provided it would not have messed up his journey from Birsa Munda Airport to Morahabadi Ground in the motorcycle rally."We would have spared another 20 minutes more for Advaniji to speak. In fact precious 45 minutes were wasted from the airport to the rally ground as his cavalcade was sandwiched in a huge motorcycle rally," a senior party functionary said.Advani coming from Kolkata to Ranchi by air was already late on his schedule against the pre-announced programme of 11.30 am. He reached the rally ground around 12.45 pm, started his speech at 12.52 pm and ended it at 1.05 pm. Advani also sought apology for his brief stay here in Ranchi saying that he was scheduled to address another rally in Nicobar for which he needed to move fast as we would not be permitted land after 3.30 pm as per the rule of the airport authority of Nicobar airport.Party insiders said that the idea of a grand welcome of Advani by escorting him to the rally point by motorcycle rally was the part of the plan of to offer him an impressive show of support. "But once he arrived late the plan should have been dropped. In fact his cavalcade was caught in a traffic chaos created by motorcycle-borne party workers who were deputed welcome Advaniji," source said.One of the leaders, who was part of the team deputed to escort Advani to the rally ground, admitted that Advani in hurry to reach the ground even expressed concern that such a huge show might cause delay to him.As per the schedule, the State leadership had planned around 45 minutes for Advani's speech. Ravishankar Prasad and Anant Kumar, one out of two Central leaders accompanying him were also scheduled to address the rally besides Chief Minister Arjun Munda and State BJP president Dineshananda Goswami. Munda had to finished his speech in less than two minutes. Goswami got no time even for a customary welcome speech. In terms of arrangement the rally was a marked improvement on the two previous rallies of Advani in Ranchi. What dismayed State BJP and workers was the point that they got less time to hear the senior leader.
Jharkhand’s Jana Sangh old boys to meet Advani
VIJAY DEO JHA RANCHI
BJP veteran LK Advani and old-timers of the Jana Sangh in Jharkhand will share some nostalgic moments on October 21, when the former will felicitate them as part of his Jan Chetna Yatra.
A special status invitation has been sent to them and a gallery prepared at the venue of the rally, Mohrabadi Ground, only for them.
Gumla district and the adjoining areas, which remain a Jana Sangh stronghold, are expected to cart the maximum number of Jana Sangh ‘old boys’. For instance, 95-year-old Ganpatlal Sahu of Gumla, former associate of BJP patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is expected to arrive. During 1967, Vajpayee, Vijayraje Scindia and others used to stay at his residence during party programmes.
Haricharan Goyal (85) and Mohan Oraon (80) are two such faces who were associated with Advani during the Jana Sangh days.
For Oraon, it will be an occasion to refresh his association with Advani from the time he had campaigned for Oraon, who was contesting as a Jana Sangh candidate from Gumla. Including Girija Prasad Sharma and Sukra Oraon, Gumla has a fairly long list of old Advani associates. Channu Ram Rajak (85) has now lost both his legs as a result of an accident and doesn’t see too well.
But he was an active member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and closely associated with some senior leaders of the Jana Sangh.
The list from Palamu includes Shyamnarayan Dubey, a well-known name in the team of Vajpayee and Advani during their south Bihar visit.
Dubey, along with Ramjilal Singhaniya (70) and Ramvilas Ram of Chhatarpur, was among the dedicated workers who took part in the JP movement. “The date of the rally coincides with foundation of Jana Sangh. All of them have contributed to formation and development of the Jana Sangh and the BJP as a credible political alternative,” said State party secretary Anant Ojha.
“Around five of them will be directly felicitated by Advaniji for their contribution. But he (Advani) will meet of all of them after the rally,” Ojha added. Party district units are searching for such old and forgotten faces, checking fact files and archives, to bring them to Ranchi.
Om Prakash Goyal, member of State BJP Working Committee said, “Most of them are in their 70s and even beyond…they are no more in active politics. We are trying to reach to them. Resourceless they were, but they had the resource to public support and commitment to a cause which drove him to work for the Jana Sangh. Honouring them is a small gesture for their big contribution.”
According to a rough estimate, 500 people associated with Jana Sangh from all over Jharkhand will be felicitated. “But the number could be much lower,” said a party leader.
“Not more than five to 10 old-timers are expected to attend from each district. Most of them are old, frail and ill. Some of them have expressed their inability,” he added.
The party has decided to put young party workers on duty to ferry them from their districts to Ranchi comfortably. “They are special to us and we have made special arrangements fore their visit,” said State BJP president Dineshananda Goswami.
VIJAY DEO JHA RANCHI
BJP veteran LK Advani and old-timers of the Jana Sangh in Jharkhand will share some nostalgic moments on October 21, when the former will felicitate them as part of his Jan Chetna Yatra.
A special status invitation has been sent to them and a gallery prepared at the venue of the rally, Mohrabadi Ground, only for them.
Gumla district and the adjoining areas, which remain a Jana Sangh stronghold, are expected to cart the maximum number of Jana Sangh ‘old boys’. For instance, 95-year-old Ganpatlal Sahu of Gumla, former associate of BJP patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is expected to arrive. During 1967, Vajpayee, Vijayraje Scindia and others used to stay at his residence during party programmes.
Haricharan Goyal (85) and Mohan Oraon (80) are two such faces who were associated with Advani during the Jana Sangh days.
For Oraon, it will be an occasion to refresh his association with Advani from the time he had campaigned for Oraon, who was contesting as a Jana Sangh candidate from Gumla. Including Girija Prasad Sharma and Sukra Oraon, Gumla has a fairly long list of old Advani associates. Channu Ram Rajak (85) has now lost both his legs as a result of an accident and doesn’t see too well.
But he was an active member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and closely associated with some senior leaders of the Jana Sangh.
The list from Palamu includes Shyamnarayan Dubey, a well-known name in the team of Vajpayee and Advani during their south Bihar visit.
Dubey, along with Ramjilal Singhaniya (70) and Ramvilas Ram of Chhatarpur, was among the dedicated workers who took part in the JP movement. “The date of the rally coincides with foundation of Jana Sangh. All of them have contributed to formation and development of the Jana Sangh and the BJP as a credible political alternative,” said State party secretary Anant Ojha.
“Around five of them will be directly felicitated by Advaniji for their contribution. But he (Advani) will meet of all of them after the rally,” Ojha added. Party district units are searching for such old and forgotten faces, checking fact files and archives, to bring them to Ranchi.
Om Prakash Goyal, member of State BJP Working Committee said, “Most of them are in their 70s and even beyond…they are no more in active politics. We are trying to reach to them. Resourceless they were, but they had the resource to public support and commitment to a cause which drove him to work for the Jana Sangh. Honouring them is a small gesture for their big contribution.”
According to a rough estimate, 500 people associated with Jana Sangh from all over Jharkhand will be felicitated. “But the number could be much lower,” said a party leader.
“Not more than five to 10 old-timers are expected to attend from each district. Most of them are old, frail and ill. Some of them have expressed their inability,” he added.
The party has decided to put young party workers on duty to ferry them from their districts to Ranchi comfortably. “They are special to us and we have made special arrangements fore their visit,” said State BJP president Dineshananda Goswami.
jharkhand's jana Sangh old boys to meet Advani
Jharkhand’s Jana Sangh old boys to meet Advani
Thursday, 20 October 2011 00:59
VIJAY DEO JHA RANCHI
BJP veteran LK Advani and old-timers of the Jana Sangh in Jharkhand will share some nostalgic moments on October 21, when the former will felicitate them as part of his Jan Chetna Yatra.
A special status invitation has been sent to them and a gallery prepared at the venue of the rally, Mohrabadi Ground, only for them.
Gumla district and the adjoining areas, which remain a Jana Sangh stronghold, are expected to cart the maximum number of Jana Sangh ‘old boys’. For instance, 95-year-old Ganpatlal Sahu of Gumla, former associate of BJP patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is expected to arrive. During 1967, Vajpayee, Vijayraje Scindia and others used to stay at his residence during party programmes.
Haricharan Goyal (85) and Mohan Oraon (80) are two such faces who were associated with Advani during the Jana Sangh days.
For Oraon, it will be an occasion to refresh his association with Advani from the time he had campaigned for Oraon, who was contesting as a Jana Sangh candidate from Gumla. Including Girija Prasad Sharma and Sukra Oraon, Gumla has a fairly long list of old Advani associates. Channu Ram Rajak (85) has now lost both his legs as a result of an accident and doesn’t see too well.
But he was an active member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and closely associated with some senior leaders of the Jana Sangh.
The list from Palamu includes Shyamnarayan Dubey, a well-known name in the team of Vajpayee and Advani during their south Bihar visit.
Dubey, along with Ramjilal Singhaniya (70) and Ramvilas Ram of Chhatarpur, was among the dedicated workers who took part in the JP movement. “The date of the rally coincides with foundation of Jana Sangh. All of them have contributed to formation and development of the Jana Sangh and the BJP as a credible political alternative,” said State party secretary Anant Ojha.
“Around five of them will be directly felicitated by Advaniji for their contribution. But he (Advani) will meet of all of them after the rally,” Ojha added. Party district units are searching for such old and forgotten faces, checking fact files and archives, to bring them to Ranchi.
Om Prakash Goyal, member of State BJP Working Committee said, “Most of them are in their 70s and even beyond…they are no more in active politics. We are trying to reach to them. Resourceless they were, but they had the resource to public support and commitment to a cause which drove him to work for the Jana Sangh. Honouring them is a small gesture for their big contribution.”
According to a rough estimate, 500 people associated with Jana Sangh from all over Jharkhand will be felicitated. “But the number could be much lower,” said a party leader.
“Not more than five to 10 old-timers are expected to attend from each district. Most of them are old, frail and ill. Some of them have expressed their inability,” he added.
The party has decided to put young party workers on duty to ferry them from their districts to Ranchi comfortably. “They are special to us and we have made special arrangements fore their visit,” said State BJP president Dineshananda Goswami
Thursday, 20 October 2011 00:59
VIJAY DEO JHA RANCHI
BJP veteran LK Advani and old-timers of the Jana Sangh in Jharkhand will share some nostalgic moments on October 21, when the former will felicitate them as part of his Jan Chetna Yatra.
A special status invitation has been sent to them and a gallery prepared at the venue of the rally, Mohrabadi Ground, only for them.
Gumla district and the adjoining areas, which remain a Jana Sangh stronghold, are expected to cart the maximum number of Jana Sangh ‘old boys’. For instance, 95-year-old Ganpatlal Sahu of Gumla, former associate of BJP patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is expected to arrive. During 1967, Vajpayee, Vijayraje Scindia and others used to stay at his residence during party programmes.
Haricharan Goyal (85) and Mohan Oraon (80) are two such faces who were associated with Advani during the Jana Sangh days.
For Oraon, it will be an occasion to refresh his association with Advani from the time he had campaigned for Oraon, who was contesting as a Jana Sangh candidate from Gumla. Including Girija Prasad Sharma and Sukra Oraon, Gumla has a fairly long list of old Advani associates. Channu Ram Rajak (85) has now lost both his legs as a result of an accident and doesn’t see too well.
But he was an active member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and closely associated with some senior leaders of the Jana Sangh.
The list from Palamu includes Shyamnarayan Dubey, a well-known name in the team of Vajpayee and Advani during their south Bihar visit.
Dubey, along with Ramjilal Singhaniya (70) and Ramvilas Ram of Chhatarpur, was among the dedicated workers who took part in the JP movement. “The date of the rally coincides with foundation of Jana Sangh. All of them have contributed to formation and development of the Jana Sangh and the BJP as a credible political alternative,” said State party secretary Anant Ojha.
“Around five of them will be directly felicitated by Advaniji for their contribution. But he (Advani) will meet of all of them after the rally,” Ojha added. Party district units are searching for such old and forgotten faces, checking fact files and archives, to bring them to Ranchi.
Om Prakash Goyal, member of State BJP Working Committee said, “Most of them are in their 70s and even beyond…they are no more in active politics. We are trying to reach to them. Resourceless they were, but they had the resource to public support and commitment to a cause which drove him to work for the Jana Sangh. Honouring them is a small gesture for their big contribution.”
According to a rough estimate, 500 people associated with Jana Sangh from all over Jharkhand will be felicitated. “But the number could be much lower,” said a party leader.
“Not more than five to 10 old-timers are expected to attend from each district. Most of them are old, frail and ill. Some of them have expressed their inability,” he added.
The party has decided to put young party workers on duty to ferry them from their districts to Ranchi comfortably. “They are special to us and we have made special arrangements fore their visit,” said State BJP president Dineshananda Goswami
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