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.
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