Heamnt Loving son of Guruji

Hemant first choice of Soren for Dumka LS election

Vijay Deo Jha/ Rajiv Ranchi, Sunday, September 28, 2008

After successfully manoeuvring the political scenario of Jharkhand in its favour, the JMM has started exercising for the next parliamentary elections in the State, scheduled to be held the next year. JMM chief Shibu Soren, is serious about projecting his younger son Hemant Soren as his political successor. Soren could field Hemant in the next Parliamentary elections from Dumka parliamentary constituency. Soren who represents Dumka, a strong JMM bastion, hopes to retain the seat by fielding his young aspiring son.

The speculation gains ground the way Hemant has been emerging as a core constituent of the political convoy of Soren who is stated to have a major say in the political decisions and strategy taken by the party. The Chief Minister, who is currently on a two-day official visit to Dumka starting from Saturday, is accompanied with Deputy Chief Minister Sudhir Mahto, besides Hemant.

The sources close to the party chief confided that Hemant was the first choice of Soren and there was a general agreement among the top ranking party leaders to field Hemant from Dumka. Sources said that Soren was likely to count more upon Hemant rather than his elder son Durga Soren and wife Rupi Soren.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior party leader said that Hemant who played an active role _ a political manager during the one month-long political crisis, has gained credence _ fit to be the political heir_ after of Soren who had the potential to retain Dumka seat after the latter would shift to State politics. Soren is likely to contest the by-elections of the State Assembly either from Tamar or Tundi. Currently, Mathura Prasad Mahto represents Tundi in the State Assembly. Sukhram Oraon, MLA from Chakradharpur has also offered his seat for the party chief.In the past, Soren failed to accrue political acceptability for his family members whenever he tried to field them from Dumka. The electorate cast a damper when Soren fielded Rupi Soren in Dumka parliamentary election in 1999. The then BJP leader, Babulal Marandi, defeated her.

Hoping to translate his mass popularity into votes, Soren planned an entry for Hemant in the active politics by fielding him in the Assembly elections in 2005 from Dumka. Soren had to pay a heavy political price for his decision. He had to face rebellion by Stephen Marandi besides the defeat of Hemant in the election.

Make India win

'Jeetega BJP, Jeetega Bharat'

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Wednesday, September 24, 2008

I do not ask for the victory of the BJP, I want India to win and it is possible only when the BJP is voted to power, since only BJP has the will to solve the problems of the country," said Lal Krishna Advani, senior BJP leader and prime ministerial candidate of the party, while addressing a public rally at Gandhi Maidan in Dumka, on Tuesday.

He appealed the people to focus on the nation and party rather than personality while exercising their voting right. Despite rain, nearly 50,000 people remained spellbound during Advani's speech which continued for nearly 45 minutes.

Referring to his emotional attachment to Dumka where he was detained at Masanjore during his famous Rath Yatra, Advani said a visit to Dumka gave him immense pleasure.

"But my pleasure ends with a sad note, while people got swaraj (own rule) but not suraj (good governance) till now even after Jharkhand was formed years back," he remarked about State UPA Government.

While both Chhattighar and Uttarakhand have become developed, Jharkhand is trailing behind in terms of development. Advani thus criticised the Government for its failure to deliver the promises. Talking about regime change in Jharkhand, the BJP prime ministerial candidate said corruption remained unchecked since the current political dispensation was not different than the last one. The party stalwart asserted that once voted to power, the BJP would end the era of corruption in the State.

He lost no occasion to remind the role of BJP in forming Jharkhand and said the party was on the forefront to raise the cause of the people of this State.

"The Party has always been praiseful towards the tribal culture and its identity and it was during the rule of NDA, the statue of martyr Birsa Munda was ensconced on the premise of Parliament as our mark of respect," he said.

While using the occasion to revive the memory of his historic stay at Dumka, Advani touched upon the some core issues and hinted that terrorism would constitute the core political plank of the party besides the atomic deal.

He referred to the string of terror attack across the country and blamed that the UPA Government at the Centre was soft-peddling terrorism. There were some lighter moments when Advani took a dig at the UPA Government and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil for their failure. Making a serious comment out of lighter cartoon, Advani said while the terror groups' claim of sophisticated weapon to wreak havoc on the country, Patil claims to have the blessing of Sonia Gandhi to save his skin.

Remark on Sarna rocks Assembly

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The Jharkhand Assembly remained on boil on Tuesday as legislators of the main Opposition party, BJP, raised protest over the alleged remarks made against Sarna religion in Nemha Bible, published by the Bible Society of India.

Demanding immediate action against the publishers and the distributors of the book, the party forced adjournment of the House for nearly 20 minutes. Party MLA Chandresh Oraon, who raised the matter demanded immediate actions against the society saying that it was done to disturb the social and communal harmony in the State. While pacifying the agitated members, Chief Minister Shibu Soren assured them to confiscate the book. On account of vociferous uproar, the House could not assume the question hour. The Opposition parties also raised the issue of para-teachers who were on protest demonstration against the State Government and Human Resource Ministry outside the State Assembly. The Opposition said that the State Government and the concerned minister were ignoring the plight of nearly 88,000 para-teachers whose "service terms" and "wage structure" have not been fixed. The Opposition drew support from the Treasury Bench - Uday Sankar Singh, RJD MLA from Sarath, wanted the State Government to take some concrete decision on the demands of the teachers.

The afternoon session of the Assembly discussed the cut motion tabled by JD(U) legislator Radhakrishna Kishore against the first Supplementary Budget of Rs 437 crore brought by the Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Stephen Marandi. Kishore contended that the Supplementary Budget if passed by the Assembly would peg off the gross budgetary deficit which was Rs 16,682 crore according to the estimate of the State Government. "At a time, when the Government took no initiative to fill the gap of the deficit, the Supplementary Budget would further fuel the deficit," Kishore added.

Kishore also pulled the Government for projecting erroneous reports of the planned sub-expenditure. Questioning FM's claim that the Government utilised Rs 1,312.16 crore of the total amounts of Rs 8,000 crore under planned sub-expenditure till September 22, Kishore asked Marandi to explain how come it utilised nearly Rs 623 crore (approx) within the short span of time when the actual figure was only Rs 682.72 crore, on the closing date of August 31. Kishore also doubted the claim of the Government bringing down the loss of the State exchequer to zero per cent by March 31, 2009 while the revenue collection in the State was all time low; 16 per cent. "The UPA Government failed to maintain 22 per cent of revenue collection once achieved and maintained by the NDA during its rule," he claimed.

Kishore blamed the State Government for lacking in financial management as the figures of the different departments - Health, Agriculture, and Animal Husbandry could not utilise the allotted budget.

Intervening the debate over cut motion, Inder Singh Namdhari asked the Government to clear its stand on the Supplementary Budget when the Governor of the State raised doubt over it. The House would decide the motion on Wednesday. Other members including Raghubar Das, Chatruram Mahto both from BJP and Ravindra Mahto and Ramchandra Chandravanshi participated in the debate.

NDA seeks CBI probe to expose Chaudhary-Koda connection

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Tuesday, September 23, 2008

On the fourth day of the Monsoon session, Jharkhand Assembly witnessed uproar over alleged connection of Sanjay Chaudhary with former Chief Minister Madhu Koda. Sanjay, an alleged aide of Koda, was caught with unaccounted forex in Mumbai last week. MLAs of the main Opposition party, BJP, demonstrated with the play-cards out side the Assembly before the session started.

With the start of the session, BJP MLAs led by CP Singh, the chief whip of the party, and Arjun Munda, leader to the Opposition in the Assembly, thrice rushed to the well of the House during the first session.

The scheduled "question hour" and "call attention motion" could not be carried out as the House plunged in pandemonium nearly for one hour. Demanding an immediate discussion over the issue in the House, BJP MLA Saryu Rai moved an adjournment motion, which was rejected by the Speaker.

Arjun Munda termed it a serious issue and said the way Government money was illegally sent out of Jharkhand by people close to power could not be ignored. He was joined by his own party man Raghubar Das and Radhakrishna Kishore of JD(U) who criticised the Government for trying to hide the conspiracy.

Later, while talking to media on the sideline of the session, Munda alleged that the Government was under pressure to hush up this scam. "The man in question is the right hand of Koda and a proper inquiry by CBI would expose a big time scam operating in the State," Munda said.

The leaders also accused the Speaker for flouting the rule and ignoring the issues related to larger public interest. Rai accused the Speaker for not playing a fair role. "The rejection of adjournment motion by the Speaker is bad for democracy," he said.

As the House resumed, Deputy Speaker Stephen Marandi tabled the supplementary budget of Rs 437 crore. The amount would be used for the welfare of SC, ST classes, pension and post retirement benefits, education, establishment, district administration, flood control. On behalf of the Opposition, Rai and Kishore moved a cut motion, which was accepted by the Speaker. The House would debate the cut motion on Tuesday.

The afternoon session of the House debated over the drought-like situation in Palamu, where the Opposition criticised the State Government for its all-out failure to control the situation. Initiating the debate, Kishore said that the Government has no realisation of the gravity of the matter and it failed to deliver the promise it made. While drawing the attention of the State Government, Kishore said the Government despite officially announcing draught in Palamu for the last three years did not pay the farmers their claim of crop insurance.

"The farmers have not been paid the amount of crop insurance for 2006 and 2007. The number of farmers who registered themselves for crop insurance scheme reduced from 44,000 of the last years to 22,000 this year as they have lost their faith in Government," he said.

Inder Singh Namdhari, who intervened debate, accused the Government for punishing honest officials for speaking truth about the failure of the State Government on water irrigation. He alleged that the Government removed a particular development commissioner for his comment that after spending six hundred crores of rupees even six bucket of water could not be fetched out. The Speaker directed the Government to present the fact.

Dumka where started makiang and unmaking of BJP

Advani to address rally at Dumka on Sept 23

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Septeber 21, 2008

Bracing for a major electoral victory in Jharkhand in the Lok Sabha poll, the BJP will finally sound the poll bugle from Dumka with its new coined slogan Jeetegi Bhajapa, Jeetega Bharat. Lal Krishna Advani, the prime ministerial candidate of BJP, is scheduled to address a public rally on Tuesday here at Gandhi Maidan.

Hoping to revive its electoral ground in Santhal Pargana division, the rally would be a kind of show of strength. The senior BJP leader and coordinator of the programme, Ganesh Mishra who has been camping in Dumka, said that the party would assess its strength for the next Lok Sabha poll here.

Viranchi Narayan, spokesperson, State BJP said that the rally would send signals across the State and country that only BJP could solve the gnawing problems of the country as the UPA turned the nation a soft target of the terrorism.

The falling electoral graph of the party and the challenge posed by Shibu Soren and Babulal Marandi, who made a dent on the legislative and electoral fold of the State BJP, has caused concern among the top party leaders. The rally would pay handsome dividend during the elections, the party hopes.

Another senior leaders of the central BJP leaders including Yaswant Sinha, vice-president, national BJP and Anant Kumar, national secretary of the party would accompany Advani besides Karuna Shukla, in-charge, State BJP.

Meanwhile, the State BJP held the meetings of the office-bearers of the party at the party headquarter in the State capital. Besides Mishra, two of the top party leaders including Ranjan Patel, the organisational secretary of the State BJP are camping at Dumka and all the 12 block level units of the party has been asked to be in the alert mode to make the rally successful.

Manoj Saha, president, Dumka BJP said, "We hope to make the rally a historic one and nearly 70 thousands people would come to listen the prime ministerial candidate of the party." As only two days are left, the party workers are reported to be busy in giving the town a saffron look.

In the history of the making and unmaking of the BJP, both Dumka and Gandhi Maidan hold a special significance. Way back in 1982, Atal Bihari Bajpayee had set electoral success and acceptability of the party in motion. This time Advani, the political successor of Vajpayee, is vested with the onus to set a new benchmark.

JMM sees Cong as sting in the tail

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi, Saturday, September 20, 2008

The JMM Government headed by Shibu Soren got the first bitter taste of the coalition Government on the first day of the Monsoon Session of the Assembly as the State Congress; a major ally of the Government, took a swipe at the Government both on the floor and outside.

The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) is learnt to be in the mood to take some concrete decision, whether to ally with the JMM or not, by the next Monday. Whatever be the "concrete" decision, the Congress would not give the JMM a feel of a good political ally. If the party continues with such countenance, chances for a stormy session ahead and unpredictable political predictions are brighter.

Not happy with Soren for not inducting them in State Cabinet as well as allotting nearly a dozen of boards and corporations in favour of the Congress, the party legislators have mounted pressure to take a firm decision towards supporting the JMM.

Hitting hard at Shibu Soren for not adhering to coalition dharma and fulfilling the 'pledge', which the latter had made with the Congress, Pradeep Balmucchu, president State Congress expressed his dismay and resentment against Soren.

"We thought him as a leader firmly rooted to the soil but the way the man (Soren) is importing people from outside for governance of the Gtate, no hope is left," said Balmucchu.

He also indicated that Soren should be ready to face any kind of crisis if he wished to run the Government wantonly. In his statement, Balmucchu supposedly hinted the party could head towards a final bout against Shibu Soren if the CM fails to meet their demand of Cabinet induction.

Well-placed sources confided that the party legislators could no more wait after September 27 in case their demands were not met with. Referring to an informal meeting of the party legislators held during the recess of the session on Friday, the sources said the MLAs are mulling over some hard steps that could put the JMM Government on a tough political turf. Later, in a bid to assuage the belligerent Congress MLAs, Soren said that the decision about the boards and corporations would be taken soon.

Starting from a day before the beginning of the Assembly session, the tough posture of the Congress put the JMM on tizzy as the party MLAs ignored the dinner party hosted by Soren. Moving ahead with the politics of absentia, at least three Congress MLAs stayed away from the Assembly Session.

Jharkhand Asembly

Monsoon session: BJP to grill Govt

Vijay Deo Jha RANCHI Friday, September 19, 2008

The coming Monsoon Session of Jharkhand State Assembly, scheduled to start on Friday would prove litmus test for 21-day-old State Government led by Shibu Soren of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, (JMM). Ready to take on Soren on the floor of the house, State BJP, the main opposition in the house would grill the Government on a host of issues.

Even the MLAs of the State Congress could stay neutral at a time the BJP would fire salvo against the newly formed Government. Congress MLAs are not happy for not been inducted in the State cabinet as per the agreement. The first day of the session is likely to end up with the house passing condolence to Ramesh Singh Munda.

The prominent among these are the pending cases of disqualification of nearly a dozen of MLAs, the list includes the name of five suspended BJP MLAs whose disqualification the party vociferously demands.

While talking to The Pioneer, Arjun Munda, leader to the opposition, said that the party was watching the move of the Speaker and it would press for their disqualification under 10th schedule of the Constitution in the coming session.

The party received shot in its arm after the Jharkhand High Court categorically asked the office of the Speaker for the speedy disposal of these cases. "It is up to the House to decide, the Speaker can not take shelter behind by calling it sub-judice," said Munda.

The party which was likely to hold the meeting of the party legislators, on Friday, to chart out the strategy for the coming assembly session; is learnt to raise the issue of the corruption, rise in naxal activities and alleged terrorization of the bureaucracy. The reports of famine at Palamu and the failure of the Government to control the situation have given the BJP a political weapon against the JMM.

On meantime, in a bid to consolidate his political flocks together and specially to assuage the chagrin of nine Congress MLAs, Soren threw dinner party for the UPA allies, on Thursday. However, most of Congress MLAs reported to have not joined the dinner diplomacy. The move has put the JMM in tizzy and even after late evening exercise of top JMM leaders Congress MLAs did not change their mind.

Talking about the move of the Congress during the session, the well placed sources said that the party legislators would hold their meeting on this count on Friday. The legislators who are piqued over the delay are likely to meet Soren to get a final word on that.

The sources confided that the party MLAs might not sit together with the JMM during the Money Bill if Soren fails to give any solid assurance and the dateline regarding their induction in the cabinet. However, it would be tough for the party MLAs to create political jeopardy for Soren, but party can use the occasion to pressurize Shibu to meet their demands. Least they can expect and do.

Mira Munda new hope for BJP as woman leader

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi

While most of the better half of the politicians of Jharkhand prefers to stay at home, the BJP leader Arjun Munda is learnt to have charted another way for his wife Mira Munda. The conspicuous presence of Mira at Matri Sakti Sammelan, where the RSS chief KC Sudarshan along with the Hindu firebrand Sadhvi Ritambhara, had come to participate had several political overtures. On this both Mira and Munda commented that her presence in the programme had no connection to her joining active politics, but the sources confided that Mira who shared dais with Sudarshan has a definite indication that the RSS sees her as a potential woman leader who could tap the voters. Also the sources close to Munda said that the later would field his wife in active politics. The State BJP is also learnt to be eager to encash her non controversial image. She will be launched in the politics only after calculated exercise and celebrated exposure. Accordingly, the party has planned for the media exposure of Mira during the next Lok Sabha poll in the State. In the past too Mira campaigned at Kharsawa, the home constituency of Munda as well as Chaibasa, Jamshedpur, Jharia and Bermo during the last Assembly elections. A section of party leaders wanted her to contest the elections of Mayor in Ranchi Municipal Corporation. What might favour the advent of Mira in the politics is the fact that the State BJP currently has no woman leader to catch a big chunk of voters besides Rita Verma. In the last meeting of the working committee of the State BJP, the party is learnt to made special emphasis upon rejuvenating the women cell of the party. Commenting over the possibility of Mira fighting elections in the State in near future a senior BJP functionary said that during the opinion taking exercise for the LS elections in the state the name of Mira prominently figured for Dumka parliamentary constituency. But Mira would like to count more upon her own political acumen rather to bank upon the political clout and appeal of Munda, her husband.

Kissa Kursi ka

Cong MLAs set deadline for ministerial berths

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi RANCHI Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The constant delay and dilly-dallying by the Jharkhand Government in inducting two Congress legislators in the State Cabinet and passing reins of nearly a dozen of boards and corporation to the party legislators and others has provoked the party.

Issuing the first release of threat to 19-day-old Government, Congress legislators on Monday asked the Chief Minister to give a final official version regarding their claim by Friday. The party legislators would be free to decide their way about supporting the Government.

In lieu of the support extended to the JMM, the party legislators are eager to join the State Government. This does not auger well for Soren as the Monsoon Session of Jharkhand State Assembly would start from August 19, the deadline set by party legislators.

Not mentioning the 'withdrawal of support' in explicit term, Niel Tirkey, Congress MLA from Simdega, threatened the MLAs would rethink over their relation and dimension of support to Soren if the former fails to implement the promise of two ministerial berths and a dozen of boards and corporations within the stipulated date. Irrespective of what party high command and in-charge State Congress react over of their belligerent stand, Tirkey alleged that the party was forced to adopt a tough line only after learning that Soren was not willing to fulfill the promise.

The party legislators who have been mounting pressure upon Soren for this failed to elicit any response even after several meetings with him. Even though the party is learnt to have prepared the list of nominees; the JMM so far developed cold feet on this issue.

Countering the veiled threat of the Congress, Supriyo Bhattacharya, organizational secretary, JMM, said that Soren was ready give the Congress its due share in boards and corporations and it was up to Congress to send the name. Referring to deal about the change of guards in Jharkhand too in the presence of senior Congress leader Pranav Mukharjee he said that Soren did not make any promise in writing to induct any Congress MLA in the ministry.

But contrary to the claim, Tirkey said that as per agreement reached between the JMM and the Congress, Soren in the presence of Ajay Maken, in-charge State Congress agreed to induct two Congress MLAs in the state cabinet besides nearly dozen of boards.

Giving an insight of the deal a senior party leader revealed that Soren agreed to withdraw three of JMM ministers of erstwhile Madhu Koda government to accommodate three MLAs from the Congress and RJD respectivelyHowever Pradeep Balmuchu, president, State Congress, was not available for his comment but party sources confided that Balmuchu who is in New Delhi in connection with the meeting of the AICC Working Committee is learnt to have conveyed the mood of the party MLAs to senior party leaders in Delhi.

Fight for your rights: RSS chief to women

Vijay Deo Jha RANCHI Monday, September 15, 2008

It was a rare occasion of the Maatri Shakti Sammelan organised by the Seva Bharti on Friday at Harmu ground in the State capital. The sprawling ground became a thrust ground of women empowerment.

More than 20,000 women associated with different self-help groups of the Seva Bharti took the lesson of Indian brand of feminism from RSS chief KC Sudarshan and Sadhvi Ritambhara, a vocal exponent of firebrand Hinduism.

While addressing the conclave Sudarshan appealed the women to rise to the occasion to fight for their cause. He noted that India and Hinduism were always liberal and supportive to the cause of women. However, the follies which cropped out of some historical reasons, made a permanent abode in our social life. Taking a dig at the socio-economic development he said that till a large number of women remains out side of the preview of the social development, it would not solve the purpose.

Praising the initiatives taken by the Seva Bharti Sudarshan said that the organisation was silently playing a crucial role of the economic empowerment of women which will pave the way of their social emancipation.

True to her style and spirited speech Ritambhara said that women were far ahead of men in every term but they were kept in the cage of backwardness by some social vested interest. The only thing the Indian women have to do is to realise their potential. Taking a serious note of feticide she squarely blamed those women for creating sex imbalance who were indulged in this act. To her the television shop operas and serials were nibbling the very essence of Indian culture.

In her hour long speech she also touched the core issue of terrorism and the controversy over the existence of Lord Ram. Questioning the efficiency of the central UPA in taming terrorism she blamed the Congress and the UPA for forfeiting the national security for vote bank politics.

"The SIMI desperados are wreaking havoc while the UPA Government still finds no proofs against the jehadi groups. No different rule can exist in India if we are to save India", said Ritambhara. The occasion was marked with the usual saffron hue and Shobha Yatra were carried.

Karma magnetises youth with ethnic touch

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Friday, September 12, 2008

Jubilation and festivity knew no bound on the occasion of Karma, a vital and vibrant youth festival. The young and colourful tribal boys and girls with loads of fun and frolic took on the roads of the town.

Their spirit refused to die and continued to dance and sing without any apparent note of fatigue.

Several places in Ranchi, noticeably in the Department of Tribal Language, Ranchi University; the occasion was celebrated with ethnic tribal touch. Chief Minister Shibu Soren, who had come to grace the occasion, could not stop from trying his hand on Mandar. Praising the nature for its bounty, Soren asked the devout revellers to stay in tune with the nature. Later, Soren along with Ram Dayal Munda, the former VC of RU and AA Khan, VC RU and several others joined the chorus.

To give Karma cultural splash, different organisations held procession which was joined by the youth at different parts of the town --- Siromtoli, Chadhri, Morahbadi and Gandhinagar.

The bands of youth in their traditional dress who were swaying and gyrating in consonance with tribal songs gave nostalgic d?cor to the entire moment. Not missing any chance to narrate the legends of Karam Devta, the God of Power, the tribal culture was at its best display with beats of Mandar and the clangs of cymbals. In fact, the tribal culture stands nowhere without its rich treasure of ebullient festivity.

Even when modern lifestyles have intruded the tribal culture of Jharkhand the festival was celebrated in its traditional style. Dipa, a young tribal girl from Gandhinagar, said she along with her friends culled the items required for Puja from a nearby forest. "We kept dancing and singing in group for the entire period," she said.

With the dawn of the day, the unmarried young tribal girls worshipped the Karma Tree keeping a small basket with germinating seeds of jawa as a mark of fertility and the bounty of nature. Java and wheat are germinated a few days earlier and the small plants are put in a small bamboo basket and placed before the branch of the Karam Tree, which represents Karam Deo. Celebrated on 11th moon day of the Hindu month Badhav, the tribal girls observe fast and offer green melons to the Karam deity as a symbol of "son" which reveals the primitive expectation of human being, i.e. grains and children.

Two suspended BJP MLAs likely to quit

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Thursday, September 11, 2008

Two out of the five suspended BJP MLAs of Jharkhand facing cases of disqualification under 10th Schedule of the Constitution are likely to resign from the State Assembly before the pronouncement of judgment by Speaker Alamgir Alam.

The suspended BJP MLAs - Godda MLA Pradeep Yadav and Dhanvar MLA Ravindra Kumar Rai in defiance to the party line joined hand with the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) led by Babulal Marandi are mulling over the option of resigning.

Apparently, the move might not help them directly but it can save them from the ignominy of being called disqualified. They might fight by-election or could be fielded in Lok Sabha poll as JVM candidate from their respective constituencies, sources close to them said.

The five suspended BJP MLAs are closely inching to some final decision on their disqualification as the double Bench of Jharkhand High Court wanted to know the office of the Speaker, by September 16 when it would finally dispose of these cases.

Well-placed sources in JVM confided that the resignation could probably be tendered only after one of the MLAs of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha vacates their seat for Shibu Soren. But before taking the decision the party would study both the legal and political aspects as it did not want to give JMM a free ground.

Godda is still considered to be a strong JMM bastion despite the fact that last time BJP candidate Pradeep Yadav had defeated JMM candidate Prashant Kumar by a whopping margin. In case Yadav resigns before hand, the JMM chief Soren can easily manage a victory from there, sources said.

However, both Yadav and Rai termed it as speculation and said that they would fight the case on both political and legal front. The way the State BJP is striving for their disqualifications with enough proofs, these two MLAs are learnt to be left with no option but to show a brave face.

"We do not want to give BJP a chance to call them disqualified and deserters. They would resign if the circumstances warrant but in every case they would be a sort of political martyr", said a senior JVM leader.

Yet the JVM is clueless about the mind of Kunti Devi, another suspended BJP MLA who has sided with it. But their plan to gain the status of political martyrdom and brave anti-BJP face will spoil if the Speaker gives an early decision on their disqualification before any JMM MLA vacates his seat for Soren. But there are several ifs and buts that will shape their strategy, said a top JVM leader.

His Dumka visit had changed Indian politics

Advani to visit Dumka on Sept 23

Vijay Deo Jha

The State BJP would finally sound poll bugle from Dumka as senior BJP leader and leader of the Opposition LK Advani is expected to visit Jharkhand on September 23 when he would hold a public rally here. The party sources who confirmed this said that Advani would address a series of public rallies in the different parts of the State. Advani is expected to address a rally in Ranchi in October, said party sources.

Suspended BJP MLAs seek time from Speaker

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Out of five suspended BJP MLAs against whom the cases of disqualifications have been lying with Alamgir Alam, the Speaker of Jharkhand State Assembly, Vishnu Bhaiya, Manohar Tekriwal and Ravindra Kumar Rai filed their answers on Monday. All of them have sought 60-day time to explain their position.

Deputy Chief Minister Stephen Marandi has also filed the answer. The decision on this account is likely to be taken after the session of the Assembly schedule to start from September 19.

If sources are to believed it is learnt that both Vishnu Bhaiya and Tekriwal would challenge their disqualification on the grounds that the BJP wanted their disqualification on hypothetical fear- they might cross the floor during trust vote which resulted in the seizure of their voting rights. Hence they technically remained no more BJP MLAs.

Meanwhile, Ravindra Rai dared the BJP leadership to take his head if it could do so. The constant challenge posed by these defiant party MLAs have put the BJP in political muddle. On the surface the State BJP appears unanimous for the disqualifications but the issue has created deep fissures among the party leaders. The piecemeal approach taken for their disqualification and politically a late realisation of the fact that the suspended MLAs needed to be disqualified- the answer to which has left most of the BJP stalwarts divided.

While a party section led by Arjun Munda was in favour of strong action against the five suspended MLAs owing to their proximity with Babulal Marandi- a known detractor of Munda. But move was stopped as the central leadership did not want to annoy Marandi- the central leadership still hopes for a rapprochement with Marandi.

Not hiding his disappointment over the whole issue a senior party leader hinted that a section of party leaders and the central BJP leaders too had no problem till these suspended five remained with the junior BJP (JVM). 'Actions were taken only after two of them deserted JVM', he said.

The State BJP filled the petition for disqualification of Vishnu Bhaiya and Tekriwal only after the duo deserted Marandi and sided with Shibu Soren. The party was politically constrained to file a fresh petition of disqualifications against the rest three suspended MLAs on a similar ground.

"The moment we collect proof against the rest of the three we filed another petition seeking similar action against the rest of the three namely Ravindra Rai, Kunti Singh and Pradeep Yadav", party chief whip CP Singh added. A senior party leader said the central high command was unwilling for strong actions against them till the last time. The move came as a victory for Munda who is learnt to have made it a point of his prestige but he had to drop his rigid stance to move to Supreme Court.

He knows his fate

Next LS election to decide Munda's fate

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Monday, September 8, 2008

The next parliamentary elections in Jharkhand would be crucial in deciding the political fate of many of the BJP celebrities particularly the former Chief Minister and present Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly, Arjun Munda.

The BJP central high command is learnt to have advised Munda either to perform or perish. According to sources, BJP could probably decide the issue of party leadership in Jharkhand after the performance of Munda in the next parliamentary elections. Notably, the central high command seems to have adopted stick and carrot policy.

The Munda camp, which pins its hopes that its leader would be able to manage a respective tally for the party in the next LS poll, feel that the former has been asked to make a big political sortie with clipped wings as the central leadership has still not clarified its stand on the issue of leadership nor it gave Munda free hand to decide the strategy for the poll that includes the selections of the candidates.

The party sources said that the central high command categorically wanted Munda to manage victory of the party in 12 parliamentary constituencies.

The revelation has come along with the fact that the central high command of the party is reported to be serious about taking some decisions about Jharkhand BJP after the month of November. The revelation might place Munda on an unstable political turf as the so-called crucial decision, as the sources indicated, is nothing but a fresh move to negotiate with Babulal Marandi, the former BJP leader and bete-noir of Munda. Marandi, who on several occasions ruled out that he ever desired to make a come back in BJP could find patronage of Lal Krishna Advani if the move materialises. But a section of the central leadership is learnt to be not in this favour.

Though the party hopes to bag at least 12 parliamentary seats in the State, a section of party leaders have started questioning the claim stating that Marandi with his growing presence would scuttle the plan of the party. Accordingly the detractors of Munda in the party have tried to convince the central high command that it would be difficult for the State BJP to win the seats without taking Marandi in BJP fold.

A senior party leader closely watching the move hinted that the central high command was not ready to give Munda a free hand hence the party stalwart has the limited option. However the BJP is yet to decide the name of the candidates for LS poll as the Munda camp is learnt to have asked for a greater say in the distribution of party ticket if the party wanted a respective tally in the State.

It is learnt that the central BJP could not afford to field both Marandi and Munda in the State politics at the same time fearing rebellion by the supporters of Munda. The possibility of the party mulling over a third option- Karia Munda replacing Arjun Munda might not be ruled out . On the whole issue, the Munda camp reacted by saying that the central BJP was preparing the draft of another political hara-kiri by inducting Marandi.

Balmuchu mulls replacing 'defunct' district heads

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Friday, September 5, 2008

Jharkhand Congress might start a major reshuffle of party presidents at district level, in near future. Pradeep Balmuchu, State president of the party, is reported to have prepared the list of the district units of the party and its presidents who are stated to have been lying defunct for the last three years. Some district presidents of the party could be removed in the reshuffle, sources said.

Along with this, fresh appointments have been recommended for the district units - Khunti, Ramgharh and Saraikela - where the party has been running without any nominated or designated president so far. At Saraikela, party has been running without a head after Sadhu Charan Mahto deserted the party.

The well-placed sources confirmed that Balmuchu who is staying in New Delhi is supposed to communicate this list to Ajay Maken, the State in-charge of Congress. The sources said that appointments could probably be made within three months once the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) clears the deck for the change.

Concerned over the falling graph of the Congress in view of the next Lok Sabha poll in the State scheduled to be held next year, the party leadership fears that it would be impossible to retain the respective tally. A month back a piqued State president threw warning letters to such district units and their presidents to reinvigorate the party organisation. The step was taken after these district units remained dormant and uninvolved in party sponsored programmes.

Balmuchu is not stated to be happy over the failure of much hyped 'Parmanu Yatra' in these districts where the yatra met with low turnout of the party workers.

If sources are to be believed, report submitted by Balmucchu contains the name of the district units of Santhal Pargana and Palamu division, where immediate changes were required. If the recommendations are approved by Maken and AICC, then the district presidents of the party at Deoghar, Dumka, Jamtara, Sahebganj, Godda, Pakur and a couple of other could be replaced.

Even if the State Congress needed organisational change but it might not be an easy affair for the party and Balmucchu; said a senior Congress leader. The opponent of Balmucchu within the Congress might encounter him to define and justify the term 'defunct' - a ground for removal, as some district presidents close to Balmucchu too fall within the definition.

As these changes could take place anytime, different party factions have moved to install their favourite. At Deoghar, the senior Congress leader Omprakash is stated to have staked claim. About Godda, the sources said that Congress stalwart and MP Furkan Ansari wanted the replacement of Jayakant Thakur. While at Lohardaga, the senior party leader Rameswar Oraon is learnt to be backing a young figure, Sakil Ahmed for district president- replacing the existing DCC chief Pran Prasad Jaisawal.

The move of an expected change has also alerted the party MLAs and the detractors of Balmucchu who unlike the last time wanted a truly elected president.

Bloom Lotus

BJP's election panel for LS poll announced

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Thursday, September 4, 2008

Ready to take on the UPA in the next parliamentary elections in Jharkhand, the State BJP announced the names of the election committee for the State. The committee consists of 15 members including party State president Pashupati Nath Singh, Leader to Opposition in the State Assembly Arjun Munda, national vice-president Yaswant Sinha, member of BJP national working committee Karia Munda, Rajya Sabha MP Jayaprakash Narayan Singh, former MP Bapu Apte, former BJP State president and MLA Raghubar Das and Dineshanand Goswami, State general BJP.

The well placed sources said that the State BJP is planning to hold workshop and session for the party spokesperson of different district units of the party in the month of September. The two senior BJP leaders and central spokesperson of the party - Prakash Javedkar and Ravishankar Prasad - would impart training for better media management.

Another committee for the smooth coordination of election management has been constituted where the senior BJP leader and MLA, Saryu Roy has been asked to see the legal aspects.

Another senior BJP leader Chandra Mohan Prasad has been nominated as election coordinator along with Ganesh Mishra who has been placed in the charge of Santhal Pargana. Although, the party has yet to decide the media cell this is likely to be announced the next month.

'Suitable boy' falls under matrimonial advertisement spell

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi RANCHI Saturday, August 30, 2008

Wanted a fair, slim, beautiful, well-educated bride good at household works, age around 30 years for the youngest and handsome minister of the Jharkhand Government.

Though this may look like an ordinary matrimonial advertisement, but the hard fact is that when it comes to getting a dream bride, even the so-called "the suitable boy" and most-eligible bachelor of Jharkhand, Bhanu Pratap Shahi, the youngest Minister in the Soren Government, leaves no chance to flaunt himself through the publicity channels.

Ask him a simple question, "When will you marry mantriji," and he would blush like any other groom. The dimples add grace to his smile. Bhanu Pratap Shahi has been holding important portfolios like labour, health and family welfare, hence he got little time for marriage, a close associates of mantriji say that Shahi works overtime, till late night to ensure the people of the State remain healthy.

While his friend Sudesh Mahto got married when he was the Home Minister during the Arjun Munda Government, Shahi has still kept people guessing about his dream girl. However, the family of mantriji have tried their best to persuade him and even finalised his marriage last year, but negotiation failed to fructify into marriage.

Then the mantriji is learnt to be disinterested in marriage, but the scene is different now. His close aide Sanjay Jha confided that this year mantriji would certainly tie the knot. "We will publish matrimonial in the newspaper for a suitable bride for him," said Jha. A close aid of Shahi said that he wanted a beautiful and educated bride for himself for which the search is going on.

Probably the mantriji would have no choice but to marry this time. His fans and supporters hope that mantriji would cheer his father who is learnt to be angry with his high profile son, and Shahi would hopefully find time for marriage.

Rebel BJP MLAs' voting rights suspended

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Friday, August 29, 2008

A day before the trust vote, the Jharkhand Government-led by Shibu Soren received a major jolt as Assembly Speaker Alamgir Alam suspended the voting rights of the two suspended MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - Vishnu Prasad Bhaiya, MLA, Jamtara, and Manohar Kumar Tekriwal, MLA, Godda.

The duo had announced their decision to extend their support to Soren in forming the Government in Jharkhand. The other three MLAs - Kunti Singh, Pradeep Yadav and Rabindra Roy - have been allowed to take part in the proceeding during the trust vote. The decision was taken under the light of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution.

However, none of them filed their answer to the show cause notice sent by the Speaker on Wednesday asking them to submit their answer on their disqualification till 5 pm on Thursday. The sources confided that all of them sought 60 days to submit their points. Turning down their request, the Speaker finally gave them 10 days time to submit their answer.

The Speaker took this decision as two days back the delegation led by leader to the Opposition Arjun Munda submitted another petition to the Speaker alleging them of violating the 10th Schedule of the Constitution by joining hand with JVM and JMM.

Meanwhile the State BJP has termed the decision as too little and too late. The chief whip of the party, CP Singh said that the party could have welcomed the decision provided the Speaker could have been fair enough to realise the charges of anti party activities levelled against them.

He termed the extension given to them as malafide as well as bad in the eyes of law. He said that all five suspended MLAs should be disqualified without delay.

Meanwhile the NDA held a close-door meeting at the residence of Munda. The senior party leaders including State BJP resident PN Singh, State JD (U) president CP Singh, senior JDU leader Jaleswar Mahto attended the meet. The party is still mulling to approach the Supreme Court to seek the disqualification of these MLAs.

Munda said that the suspension of the voting rights of the two suspended MLAs was a half-baked decision. The party protests over piecemeal decision on their disqualification. We have kept our option open to approach Supreme Court if the justice was not delivered.

BJP MLAs to face axe today

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Thursday, August 28, 2008

Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Alamgir Alam served a notice to five suspended BJP MLAs for their alleged violation of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution related to anti-defection.

The Speaker asked these MLAs to present their point till 5 pm on Thursday and, he will take a decision on the disqualification by six in the evening. The five MLAs include Vishnu Bhaiya, Manohar Tekriwal, Pradeep Yadav, Rabindra Roy and Kunti Singh. Meanwhile, the main Opposition party, BJP would file a case in the Supreme Court to seek disqualification of these MLAs. Learning lessons from the past the BJP has decided to go up to any extent to disqualify these MLAs who are learnt to have been involved in anti-party activity.

Alam, who confirmed to the report, said his office issued notice to these MLAs and he wanted the decision before the House commences its special session on August 29 where Chief Minister Shibu Soren would seek trust vote.

Leader to Opposition Arjun Munda, who is supposed to reach New Delhi on Thursday, held a meeting with the senior party leaders to decide the move of the party on this. If sources are to believed then Munda held a meet with the senior BJP leaders including LK Advani and Arun Jaitley. Three of its suspended MLAs joined hand with Jharkhand Vikash Morcha, (JVM), led by Babulal Marandi while two others Vishnu Bhaiya and Manohar Tekriwal supported the JMM chief Shibu Soren in his bid to form the Government.

The pressure exerted by the BJP seems to have yielded result as the party already sent ultimatum to the Speaker to expedite the proceedings. The well-placed sources confided that the party already decided to move to Supreme Court if it fails to get favourable decision on this issue.

A day back a delegation led by Munda submitted petition to the Speaker alleging that all these five MLAs flouted the 10th Schedule of the constitution by joining hand with JVM and JMM. The petition wanted the disqualification of Rabindra Roy, Pradeep Yadav as they were the part of the delegation of JVM that met the Governor asking for the President Rule in the State. It also alleged them for involving in anti-party activity during the by-elections held for Kodarma, Palamu and Jamshedpur Parliamentary constituency and assembly election of Simaria.

While talking to The Pioneer, Munda said the party feared horse trading during the trust vote and said there was urgent necessity under the circumstances to decide the question since all these five MLAs subjected themselves to disqualification on the ground of anti defection law.

Meanwhile, BJP State president Pashupati Nath Singh demanded the Speaker to debar all 11 MLAs from Assembly proceedings that are facing charges of disqualification under the 10th Schedule and rules regulating to the membership of the Jharkhand State Assembly.