Hemant completes hundred days
VIJAY DEO JHA
Ranchi
October 20: Hemant
Soren has competed 100 days as Chief Minister of JMM led Congress-RJD coalition
government and the criticism and conflict have begun to echo around: bureaucratic
claptrap, no sincere approach to fix priorities and implement projects, truancy
of pledge and myriad others.
He is tensed because
he is left with less time to perform and he is aware that his performance will
be key to the survival of his party JMM and the UPA alliance in the 2014
general elections. Hemant isn’t in denial of any of that. But he gets
exasperated even over some normal prods like whether he has anything to polish
his CV with achievement in the last 100 days.
“I am not magician PC Sarkar. Please
have patience you will see the result in the coming days.” He started with a contrived, and rather unedifying,
flourish of his hand. It was a gesture that belonged more to repertoire of a
rookie magician who is nervously charming the audience; less to a head of
state.
But equally,
he isn’t prepared to be troubled or to shoulder entire responsibility if the
government has yet not. “Are you talking about my 100 days as CM or 100 days of
this government? My cabinet came into complete shape only during first week of
August…and by this count my government has yet to not 100 days old. I am aware
of my responsibility. Criticisms are quite natural but those who know me can
tell you I don’t have laidback attitude,” he told The Telegraph in an exclusive interview at his
chamber of his residence on late Friday night.
Excerpts
from the conversation:
TT: Have you set priorities of your
government like energy, social security, law and order, bureaucratic
transparency etc or still drafting them?
Hemant Soren: “Dekhiye
yah priority jaisa sawal mujhe hamesa pareshan karta hai. Media always
narrow down right questions with priority tag. The government must embrace a
large vision. If you fix priority things will move in a haphazard manner. If I
speak about priority people will start telling that CVM is running his own
agenda. I have set focus upon every sector. You will see how things have
improved.
Do
you offer any timeline by which result will be visible? Who stops you from
functioning?
Hemant
Soren: You will know much on November 15 (foundation day of the state) and
after that. I have instructed Chief Secretary of Jharkhand to roll out 17th
point programme which includes everything. Nobody stop me from acting but there
are always some circumstances which I have largely overcome. I assure you that
people will remember me for my good works. Many a welfare schemes have been
started.
Even
a section of the Congress now wants the CM to hurry up. There is too much of
scrambles by some of your cabinet colleagues especially from the Congress. You
had even complained about them to the Congress.
Hemant
Soren: Hundred blows of goldsmith is comparable to one
blow of iron-smith. I don’t respond to who says and what. I regularly consult
senior Congress leaders over governance and they appreciated my effort in
correcting the system. I aim to make my government public oriented. In
coalition politics such scrambling by alliance partners happens.
But
the Congress says that your government is not doing anything over delegating
power to elected panchayat representatives as well as over Food Security Act
which are UPA’s two top election agenda.
Hemant
Soren: Just today I have taken meeting to fix full proof modalities of
implementation of Food Security Act in the state. Panchayat representatives
will be given their rights in no less time.
A
month back you said people have lost faith in bureaucracy. Was you releasing
frustration or criticizing bureaucratic set-up?
Hemant
Soren: it was a criticism and warning as well. I must admit that even
this government is a makeshift arrangement. I am piloting a rustled train.
Problem is that there is no proper sync between bureaucracy and political
class. Both of them are integral to the system like oxen yoked in a plough.
Unfortunately both are pulling in different direction thus ruining the field.
You
had said actions will be taken against errant bureaucrats. Is there any?
Hemant
Soren: “Now when I got to inaugurate any project I first spot wrongdoings
and direct FIR. So far actions against 64 officials have been taken ranging
from show cause to dismissal. If I continue this way I guess officials will
think thousands of time to invite me.” He laughs.
But
there is no punitive action against IAS and IPS who matters the most.
Hemant
Soren: None will be spared if complaints found. But I am not
prejudiced.
What
will be political scenario in Jharkhand in post 2014 general election
especially the fate of the UPA? Do you think you will be continuing after that?
Hemant
Soren: It will be a premature guessing. Let me work for another months
after which I can be able to tell you about UPA’s chances.
But
father (JMM chief Shibu Soren) and son Hemant Soren seem to be on different
page over JMM’s seat sharing exercise with the Congress for 2014 general
elections. You returned satisfied with four seats while giving 10 seats to the
Congress. Your father wants seven seats not less. Who is overruling and whom?
Hemant
Soren: We have a deal of 4:10 seats…there is no doubt. Our party chief
only said that Congress-JMM has not decided about which party will fight which
seat. It is blown out of proportion.
But
Soren senior has now insisted for seven. Do you think that alliance will
continue in such a situation? Congress is shaky about JMM speaking in a
divergent voice.
Hemant
Soren: This alliance will work. I
personally will not do anything to affect the very template.
So
you have virtually succeeded your father as political heir. Can you go in the
election with out magic of your father and return with handsome dividend? (This
probably remained the most favoured question which he replied diplomatically)
Hemant
Soren: “I can’t whether I have succeeded him or not. But Shibu Soren as
party head will be supreme and so his advices and order. He will be available
for election campaign. In 2009 general election and parliamentary elections he
was ill and hospitalized. He fought election while in the bed. I had to take
the command of the party. We increased our tally.”
He smiled
allowing you to draw references for future sake.
