Sunday, June 6, 2010
Central rule set to haunt State again
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Governor MOH Farook on Monday sent an interim report to the Centre stating that no political party or combine seems to be in the position to form Government after the resignation of Chief Minister Shibu Soren.
Specter of President’s Rule in Jharkhand is looming large as sources said that a meeting of the Union Cabinet is likely to be held on Tuesday over Jharkhand for the recommendation.
In New Delhi, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram at a Press conference told the mediapersons that the Centre has received the Governor’s report on Jharkhand crisis.
An official of Governor House said, “Farook has sent the report after he met the leaders of the BJP, Congress and JVM separately in the afternoon. None claimed majority to form Government. He has stated the fact very plainly.”
As the Raj Bhavan became the centre stage, it witnessed frequent visit of different party MLAs and leaders-seeking time, seeking President’s Rule. While a BJP delegation led by State BJP president Raghuwar Das met the Governor twice in the afternoon and requested another appointment on Tuesday to make its stand clear.
Party leaders claimed that they need time to consult MLAs and senior leaders to discuss the probability of the Government formation. Request was turned down, sources in the party said.
“We can be in the position to say anything about the move of the BJP only after we consult central leadership; our MLAs and leaders,” Das said to the media at Governor House.
BJP leaders huddled in a close door meeting at the party headquarter in the evening. Majority of MLAs were in the favour of going with the JMM to form Government. “Though, central BJP leadership is against any further alliance with the JMM we have apprised-off the central leadership the sentiment of the MLAs. We had sought time from the Governor on Tuesday which was turned down,” a senior BJP leader said.
On being asked whether the JMM is a close chapter for the BJP, he echoed the sentiment of the party MLAs. “JMM is still our ally…we should form Government with the JMM… the BJP leadership will be convinced in this regard but it will be time taking process.”
Congress leaders also refused having enough number to form Government in their meeting with the Governor and assured to come back to Raj Bhavan to claim the Government if they garner enough support.
“We have clearly told Governor that we do not have magic number to form the Government. We will approach the Governor only when we are satisfied on the number count,” leader of the Congress legislative body leader Rajindar Singh said. Stating that the party needed to talk to its alliance partner-Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) - he accepted that it is tough to form a Government without the support of the JMM. But he refused to disclose whether his party has been negotiating with the JMM to form Government.
JVM chief Babulal Marandi after visiting Governor demanded imposition of President’s Rule. “We wish JVM-Congress Government. But we do not want any bargaining and horse trading. Currently no party is in the position to form the Government. We demand President’s Rule,” he said.
Unhappy days are again in the BJP sorely divided over whether to form the Government or not. Around 16 party MLAs supporting the claim of Arjun Munda have opened a battle front against Raghuwar Das terming him instrumental in pressurising central leadership not to form the Government with the JMM.
Party discipline could not deter them to hold a separate meeting at the residence of BJP MLA Gurucharan Nayak on Sunday; dropped missive to the BJP national president Nitin Gadkari to allow BJP-JMM Government
Rajya Sabha polls to clear political haze in State
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Political parties reacted differently over the imposition of the President's rule in Jharkhand. However, the BJP and the JMM leadership gave identical reaction despite having parted their ways in the coalition politics in Jharkhand.
Both the parties have opposed President's rule and refused to blame each other for the same. While the BJP accused the Congress for conspiring against the democracy, the JMM remained silent on this count.
Rajya Sabha elections for two seats scheduled to be held on June 17 will provide some clues of the coming day politics and combination where none of the political party is in the position to win even a single seat. “Though JMM (18 MLAs) is a floating vote it has the tendency to drift anywhere…but its tilt towards a political party — be it Congress or BJP. It will prove crucial to ascertain about 'what next of government formation,” a senior Congress leader said.
“President's rule cannot be an option in democracy. What happened is unfortunate, I had earlier expressed my apprehension that the Congress wants a proxy rule in Jharkhand…our party will keep an eye on the function of the State Government under President rule,” BJP national general secretary Arjun Munda said.
However, party's spokesperson Sanjay Seth found nothing new in this. “It was bound to happen. The Congress succeeded in its design. From the very first day of the formation of Jharkhand; the Congress has been trying to destabilise Governments.” Seth demanded fresh mandate stating that a fresh election was the only solution of a stable Government.
But JMM's stand is slightly different from the BJP. “We are facing President's rule once again. It is unfortunate for Jharkhand. We have already resigned from the Government. But efforts should certainly be made to form a Government. But then it is premature to tell that when will be the next Government formed. There is no option for a popular Government,” JMM general secretary Hemant Soren said.
JMM-BJP maintaining same line of condemnation could be a mere coincidence or it could be an indication of the future course of State politics even as BJP insiders said that the option to form Government along with the JMM has been ruled out totally.
“We still treat the JMM as our friend despite the fact that our relation has soared. Central BJP might not agree to form a coalition Government in the coming days fearing unprecedented criticism from different quarter. But then the leadership would be convinced to relax its stand so far opposing Government formation,” the BJP insider said.
NATION
Grass is green in Jharkhand for all to enter Upper House
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Thursday, June 3, 2010
From Maharaja to business tycoon, Jharkhand has been the green pasture for the political refuge. Outsiders' ability to win elections specially that of Rajya Sabha has inspired many.
The upcoming Rajya Sabha election for two seats in Jharkhand, scheduled for June 17, has come as an open invitation to outsiders, politicians and tycoons: Grass is green here in Jharkhand.
The Maharajadhiraj of Raj Darbhanga, Sri Kameswar Singh, was not a refugee when he won Rajya Sabha election as the candidate of Jharkhand Party of Jaipal Singh in 1952. But he had no connection with the tribals, the party and tribal politics of the region known as Jharkhand was yet to born on the Indian map.
There might not be so many around to give you first-hand narration of Maharaja's pact with hockey wizard Jaipal Singh to enter into the Rajya Sabha after he had lost the general election. Jaipal Singh was persuaded by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to give Maharaja the party symbol.
Gautam Kumar Bera in his book The Unrest axle: ethno-social movement in Eastern India has presented that details: "It was given against the consent of the party workers who resented. Maharaja had no connection with the tribal people and Jharkhand. His (Jaipal) MLAs did not dare to oppose the decision."
Jharkhand ended embargo on the Diku (outsider) in their political life and the same came along with the election of Minu Mashani from the Ranchi Lok Sabha seat.
But those who were closely associated with Raj Darbhanga and Maharaja despite their falling age and memory lapse will tell you that Jaipal Singh was seduced to accept the offer believing that Kameswar Singh with his fabulous wealth and his two leading newspaper --- Indian Nation and Aryavarta --- would prove beneficial for him and his party as well.
Winning Rajya Sabha election even that time was not possible without money. Maharaja had to spend around Rs three lakh to keep the JP fold together, it is said. But he could not succeed in getting the ticket second time. It is another story.
And after the formation of Jharkhand, the State became the free hunting ground of the political aspirations of the tycoon and refugees. The man who startled people of the State the most was Parimal Nathwani, the corporate head of Reliance Industries Limited, during Rajya Sabha election 2008. He entered in the fray as an independent and won it without any pains. At least nine JMM, two RJD and a few of others made him to win.
It is despite JMM chief Shibu Soren had filed Kishorilal as the party candidate. But then, Kishorilal was also an outsider. Media wasted rims of paper to narrate the success story of Nathwani: It is money that matters."
The JMM is not to be blamed alone; the BJP and the Congress in the past have shown hospitality in fielding outsiders in the Rajya Sabha election since there is no constitutional impropriety.
BJP MP SS Ahluwalia, a Sikh born and brought up in Asansol, is married to a Bengali and speaks Bengali fluently but never had any role in Bengal politics. He was accommodated in Jharkhand. Former BJP MP Devdas Apte is not seen after his term ended. Similarly, Congress MP Mabelo Rebello of Goan descent born in Udupi and close to the Goan border with Karnataka, has no connections, even remote, with Jharkhand and its soil. She is an articulate, seasoned and spirited parliamentarian.
They are obviously assets to their respective parties they are god lobbyists, but do not have any mass base to fall back on the poll. There is no dearth of seasoned politicians in the political parties to field them as candidates. Among non-politicians there are academicians and others who could be the best choice. But it seems all political parties are looking for some rich and outsider as candidate in this election too. Only JVM chief Babulal Marandi has said no to it.
Grass is green in Jharkhand for all to enter Upper House
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Thursday, June 3, 2010
From Maharaja to business tycoon, Jharkhand has been the green pasture for the political refuge. Outsiders' ability to win elections specially that of Rajya Sabha has inspired many.
The upcoming Rajya Sabha election for two seats in Jharkhand, scheduled for June 17, has come as an open invitation to outsiders, politicians and tycoons: Grass is green here in Jharkhand.
The Maharajadhiraj of Raj Darbhanga, Sri Kameswar Singh, was not a refugee when he won Rajya Sabha election as the candidate of Jharkhand Party of Jaipal Singh in 1952. But he had no connection with the tribals, the party and tribal politics of the region known as Jharkhand was yet to born on the Indian map.
There might not be so many around to give you first-hand narration of Maharaja's pact with hockey wizard Jaipal Singh to enter into the Rajya Sabha after he had lost the general election. Jaipal Singh was persuaded by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to give Maharaja the party symbol.
Gautam Kumar Bera in his book The Unrest axle: ethno-social movement in Eastern India has presented that details: "It was given against the consent of the party workers who resented. Maharaja had no connection with the tribal people and Jharkhand. His (Jaipal) MLAs did not dare to oppose the decision."
Jharkhand ended embargo on the Diku (outsider) in their political life and the same came along with the election of Minu Mashani from the Ranchi Lok Sabha seat.
But those who were closely associated with Raj Darbhanga and Maharaja despite their falling age and memory lapse will tell you that Jaipal Singh was seduced to accept the offer believing that Kameswar Singh with his fabulous wealth and his two leading newspaper --- Indian Nation and Aryavarta --- would prove beneficial for him and his party as well.
Winning Rajya Sabha election even that time was not possible without money. Maharaja had to spend around Rs three lakh to keep the JP fold together, it is said. But he could not succeed in getting the ticket second time. It is another story.
And after the formation of Jharkhand, the State became the free hunting ground of the political aspirations of the tycoon and refugees. The man who startled people of the State the most was Parimal Nathwani, the corporate head of Reliance Industries Limited, during Rajya Sabha election 2008. He entered in the fray as an independent and won it without any pains. At least nine JMM, two RJD and a few of others made him to win.
It is despite JMM chief Shibu Soren had filed Kishorilal as the party candidate. But then, Kishorilal was also an outsider. Media wasted rims of paper to narrate the success story of Nathwani: It is money that matters."
The JMM is not to be blamed alone; the BJP and the Congress in the past have shown hospitality in fielding outsiders in the Rajya Sabha election since there is no constitutional impropriety.
BJP MP SS Ahluwalia, a Sikh born and brought up in Asansol, is married to a Bengali and speaks Bengali fluently but never had any role in Bengal politics. He was accommodated in Jharkhand. Former BJP MP Devdas Apte is not seen after his term ended. Similarly, Congress MP Mabelo Rebello of Goan descent born in Udupi and close to the Goan border with Karnataka, has no connections, even remote, with Jharkhand and its soil. She is an articulate, seasoned and spirited parliamentarian.
They are obviously assets to their respective parties they are god lobbyists, but do not have any mass base to fall back on the poll. There is no dearth of seasoned politicians in the political parties to field them as candidates. Among non-politicians there are academicians and others who could be the best choice. But it seems all political parties are looking for some rich and outsider as candidate in this election too. Only JVM chief Babulal Marandi has said no to it.
NATION | Friday, June 4, 2010
Soren gifts his lawyer RS seat
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
JMM chief Shibu Soren might not have paid high fee to his eminent lawyers but then he has already gifted them Rajya Sabha tickets.
Earlier, he had offered Rajya Sabha seat to lawyer RK Anand who had bailed him out of Parliament bribery case. In a similar vein, Soren on Thursday projected his lawyer Sanjeev Kumar as JMM candidate for Rajya Sabha election who has been arguing in Kurko murder case of Giridih. Soren made this announcement in Giridih where he stated “lawyer Sanjeev is the choice of the JMM for Rajya Sabha election.”
The announcement helped to develop fissure in the index of JMM-AJSU alliance as AJSU chief Sudesh Kumar Mahato expressed surprise over the announcement of Soren. Sudesh used a close guarded language to comment over what he said: "I think it is an announcement of the proposal. Do not read so much between the lines. Sanjeev might be Soren's choice."
"But, it will have to be decided in the joint meeting of the alliance partners," Sudesh concluded.
Soren gifts his lawyer RS seat
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
JMM chief Shibu Soren might not have paid high fee to his eminent lawyers but then he has already gifted them Rajya Sabha tickets.
Earlier, he had offered Rajya Sabha seat to lawyer RK Anand who had bailed him out of Parliament bribery case. In a similar vein, Soren on Thursday projected his lawyer Sanjeev Kumar as JMM candidate for Rajya Sabha election who has been arguing in Kurko murder case of Giridih. Soren made this announcement in Giridih where he stated “lawyer Sanjeev is the choice of the JMM for Rajya Sabha election.”
The announcement helped to develop fissure in the index of JMM-AJSU alliance as AJSU chief Sudesh Kumar Mahato expressed surprise over the announcement of Soren. Sudesh used a close guarded language to comment over what he said: "I think it is an announcement of the proposal. Do not read so much between the lines. Sanjeev might be Soren's choice."
"But, it will have to be decided in the joint meeting of the alliance partners," Sudesh concluded.
Soren pays back lawyer with RS seat
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Friday, June 4, 2010
JMM chief might not have paid a high fee to his eminent lawyers but then he has already paid them handsomely with Rajya Sabha nomination.
He had offered Rajya Sabha seat to lawyer RK Anand who had bailed him out of Parliament bribery case. In a similar vein, Soren on Thursday projected his lawyer Sanjeev Kumar as JMM candidate for Rajya Sabha election who has been arguing in Kurko murder case of Giridih. Soren made this announcement in Giridih where he stated "lawyer Sanjeev is the choice of the JMM for Rajya Sabha election."
The announcement helped to develop fissure in the index of JMM-AJSU alliance as AJSU chief Sudesh Kumar Mahato expressed surprise over the announcement of Soren. Sudesh used a close guarded language to comment over what he said: "I think it is an announcement of the proposal. Do not read so much between the lines. Sanjeev might be Soren's choice."
"But, it will have to be decided in the joint meeting of the alliance partners," Sudesh concluded.
Independent MLA Chamra Linda who continues to side with Soren the day Soren's Government landed in trouble is also the part of the political confederacy which has so far decided to maintain unity for the Rajya Sabha polls for the two seats scheduled to be held on June 17.
"I am not aware of this. No such proposal of the name of the lawyer has come from the side of the JMM," Linda said. Resentments are brewing in the JMM fold. "We have no problem with the person proposed as JMM candidate but the thing is that Soren has the tendency to make announcement without discussing it at the party forum," a senior JMM leader said.
But the lawyer is merely happy at the prospect of being nominated as JMM candidate and claimed that even in the past he was offered Rajya Sabha seat by Soren himself.
"On many occasions in the past Soren hinted me his intention to field me in Rajya Sabha election. I politely turn down the proposal as I wanted to concentrate on my career as a lawyer in the Supreme Court," Sanjeev Kumar said to The Pioneer.
Sanjeev who had argued the Sashinath Jha murder case involving Soren at Delhi High Court worked under eminent apex court lawyer Ram Jethmalani. Sanjeev joined the apex court in 1986. He has also argued in the behalf of Soren in Jamtara case.
Claiming his association with Soren during his childhood days; the lawyer reserves high regard for him. "I belong to the place Maniyadih in district Giridih where Soren had started his movement for a separate Jharkhand and against the money launders. It was Soren who brought me to New Delhi for further study in law from the hard-to-reach area like Maniyadih."
The lawyer completed his schooling in Rajgang High School in Dhanbad and shifted back to Giridih to complete his intermediate. A student of Ranchi College where he studied Physics (Hons.) Sanjeev shifted to Delhi University to pursue study in the law faculty.
After nominating Sanjeev as JMM candidate Soren spent some times with his old friends including Vansi Ram, Vansi Sen, Narad Sen and Kaushwa Tudu at his old abode at village Balwa.
RANCHI
Cong nomination for RS stings JVM
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Saturday, June 5, 2010
The Central leadership of the Congress on Friday announced the name of Dhiraj Sahu as party candidate for Rajya Sabha election, leaving its alliance partner Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) fumed.
"Sahu's name has been finalised for the RS election. Talks are going on to persuade the JVM to accept the Congress candidate," a senior Congress MLA said.
Claiming that State Congress incharge K Keshav Rao has been in touch with JVM chief Babulal Marandi, he said that a final picture will emerge within a few days.
The JVM reacted sharply over the decision and decided to hold a special meeting on Saturday to announce its stand. "At this point of time I can say only that it is the decision of the Congress that came without consulting us. We had requested the Congress leadership to leave Rajya Sabha seat for the JVM," party general secretary Praveen Singh said.
The JVM argued that the Congress should leave some home space for regional party like JVM reminding that during the Assembly election the JVM had conceded more than enough seats for the Congress.
"You need to reciprocate with same gesture as we deed during election. The Congress can field and manage to win Rajya Sabha seats from any part of the country which we cannot," senior JVM leader Pradeep Yadav said. Two JVM stalwarts Saba Ahmed and Praveen Singh are the strong contenders for the Rajya Sabha seat.
Meanwhile, JMM chief Shibu Soren on Friday retracted from his statement given on last day where he announced the name of his lawyer Sanjeev Kumar as the JMM candidate for Rajya Sabha.
"His candidature is not final," Soren said to the media in Bokaro. Soren moved to New Delhi this afternoon leaving bad taste for the lawyer. Sources admitted that Soren went to New Delhi to meet UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi under the impression that his well-wishers have actually fixed an appointment with Gandhi to discuss the politics of the State. Though, the fact is far from reality.
Soren's sudden announcement was resented by his own party leaders and the alliance partner Sudesh Mahato of the AJSU, who contested that the final announcement could be made only during the joint meeting of the alliance partners. After the fall of the Soren Government, Sudesh continued to stand with the JMM and formed an alliance for Rajya Sabha elections. At least two independent MLAs --- Chamra Linda and Bidesh Singh are the part of this alliance.
Even the division and difference among the alliance partners over the choice of the candidate are worst. Dhanbad-based Pradeep Sonthaliya is the choice of some MLAs. Sunil Mishra of Godda has the blessing of JMM general secretary Hemant soren. Another Sahid Khan of Jamshedpur is being backed by JMM MLA and former Minister in the Soren Government Hazi Hussain Ansari and a few other party MLAs of Kolhan region. All of them are stated to have sound financial background that is probably an unstated requisite to win Rajya Sabha election as far as Jharkhand is concerned.
In a peculiar number game in the Assembly none of the political party or alliance is in the position to win even a single seat. But then, they are not far away in number to win the seat provided they scratch each others' back and do not stray till the date of election: June 17.
The Congress (14) and JVM (11) together need three more votes to win. So is the case with the JMM (18), AJSU (5) that needs another five votes to win. The alliance has the support of two independent MLAs. Independents will prove crucial in tapping the balance.
BJP Parliamentary Board remained undecided over the selection of candidate despite a meeting in this regard was called in New Delhi. Party sources said that BJP national president Nitin Gadkari has been authorised to take a decision. Sources admitted that the meeting did not discus the name of any candidate.
BJP (18MLAs) is far behind in number game with the support of another two MLAs of the JD(U). It still needs another eight votes to win. The party is probably looking for a heavyweight who could be able to muster support. "We are scratching our head," a senior BJP leader said on being about the party candidate.
Cong nomination for RS stings JVM
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Saturday, June 5, 2010
The Central leadership of the Congress on Friday announced the name of Dhiraj Sahu as party candidate for Rajya Sabha election, leaving its alliance partner Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) fumed.
"Sahu's name has been finalised for the RS election. Talks are going on to persuade the JVM to accept the Congress candidate," a senior Congress MLA said.
Claiming that State Congress incharge K Keshav Rao has been in touch with JVM chief Babulal Marandi, he said that a final picture will emerge within a few days.
The JVM reacted sharply over the decision and decided to hold a special meeting on Saturday to announce its stand. "At this point of time I can say only that it is the decision of the Congress that came without consulting us. We had requested the Congress leadership to leave Rajya Sabha seat for the JVM," party general secretary Praveen Singh said.
The JVM argued that the Congress should leave some home space for regional party like JVM reminding that during the Assembly election the JVM had conceded more than enough seats for the Congress.
"You need to reciprocate with same gesture as we deed during election. The Congress can field and manage to win Rajya Sabha seats from any part of the country which we cannot," senior JVM leader Pradeep Yadav said. Two JVM stalwarts Saba Ahmed and Praveen Singh are the strong contenders for the Rajya Sabha seat.
Meanwhile, JMM chief Shibu Soren on Friday retracted from his statement given on last day where he announced the name of his lawyer Sanjeev Kumar as the JMM candidate for Rajya Sabha.
"His candidature is not final," Soren said to the media in Bokaro. Soren moved to New Delhi this afternoon leaving bad taste for the lawyer. Sources admitted that Soren went to New Delhi to meet UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi under the impression that his well-wishers have actually fixed an appointment with Gandhi to discuss the politics of the State. Though, the fact is far from reality.
Soren's sudden announcement was resented by his own party leaders and the alliance partner Sudesh Mahato of the AJSU, who contested that the final announcement could be made only during the joint meeting of the alliance partners. After the fall of the Soren Government, Sudesh continued to stand with the JMM and formed an alliance for Rajya Sabha elections. At least two independent MLAs --- Chamra Linda and Bidesh Singh are the part of this alliance.
Even the division and difference among the alliance partners over the choice of the candidate are worst. Dhanbad-based Pradeep Sonthaliya is the choice of some MLAs. Sunil Mishra of Godda has the blessing of JMM general secretary Hemant soren. Another Sahid Khan of Jamshedpur is being backed by JMM MLA and former Minister in the Soren Government Hazi Hussain Ansari and a few other party MLAs of Kolhan region. All of them are stated to have sound financial background that is probably an unstated requisite to win Rajya Sabha election as far as Jharkhand is concerned.
In a peculiar number game in the Assembly none of the political party or alliance is in the position to win even a single seat. But then, they are not far away in number to win the seat provided they scratch each others' back and do not stray till the date of election: June 17.
The Congress (14) and JVM (11) together need three more votes to win. So is the case with the JMM (18), AJSU (5) that needs another five votes to win. The alliance has the support of two independent MLAs. Independents will prove crucial in tapping the balance.
BJP Parliamentary Board remained undecided over the selection of candidate despite a meeting in this regard was called in New Delhi. Party sources said that BJP national president Nitin Gadkari has been authorised to take a decision. Sources admitted that the meeting did not discus the name of any candidate.
BJP (18MLAs) is far behind in number game with the support of another two MLAs of the JD(U). It still needs another eight votes to win. The party is probably looking for a heavyweight who could be able to muster support. "We are scratching our head," a senior BJP leader said on being about the party candidate.
Alchemist files nomination as RS candidate for JMM
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi Sunday, June 6, 2010
He is an alchemist who has developed passion for politics. Kanwar Deep Singh landed in Ranchi on Saturday as an air-dropped candidate of the JMM to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha election.
Interestingly, he never figured in the list of the possible candidates of the JMM-AJSU combine till a few days back. Including Mathura Mahato, Hazi Hussain Ansari, Hemlal Murmu another five JMM MLAs seconded his candidature besides two independents-Videsh Singh and Chamra Linda.
Soon after his arrival the JMM held a meeting at the residence of Mathura Mahato to forge a consensus over the name of Singh. A peeved AJSU chief Sudesh Kumar Mahato left the meeting in the middle. “I wanted that local people should be projected as the candidate of the alliance,” he told the media.
“I am not an outsider. I have been associated with Jharkhand for the past seven years,” Singh offered the explanation without any asking. He was addressing a Press conference at the residence of JMM chief Shibu Soren on Saturday evening.
Singh who runs a chain of hospitals in New Delhi and Chandigarh named as Alchemist Hospital Group claims high about his connection with Jharkhand and its people. “I have been running an aviation training institute in Jamshedpur and have trained around 200 people so far,” he said but then conceded having no prior apprenticeship in politics.
He said he had got the inspiration from Shibu Soren, Hemant Soren and Sudesh to join politics. Hemant who was sitting by his side reciprocated in the same gesture and said it was Singh who inspired Soren to open an aviation training institute in Sonasugandh in Dumka. Both showered compliments on each other.
The rookie then showed his political colours. “Sudeshji se meri baat hui hai wo mere saath hai…agar Baba (Shibu Soren) mujhe sansad me Jharkhand ki awaaz banana chahte hai to kya galat hai, (I had a talk with Sudeshji.
He is with me. What’s wrong if Baba wants me to make the voice of Jharkhand in Parliament.)?”
Stating that he had some plans to do some good for Jharkhand in the health sector, he claimed that this was one of his reasons behind joining politics through the Rajya Sabha election. “You can imagine what I can do for Jharkhand…a lot of works are to be done,” Singh rather tried to suggest that he could be a valuable edition for Jharkhand where health care service was not present even in token.
Tragic comedy was at its best display in the Congress-Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) following the decision of the Congress to field Dhiraj Sahu as the party candidate for the Rajya Sabha.
State Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu applied balm over the hurt sentiment of the JVM at a Press conference pledging the unity of the alliance. Balmuchu refuted the fact that his party had announced the candidate without consulting the JVM which wanted to field its candidate. “We were in regular with JVM chief Babulal Marandi during these days before announcing Sahu’s candidature. But we regret for not consulting the JVM before making a final announcement. We hope that they will understand,” Balmuchu said at a Press conference at the party headquarters.
Marandi held a marathon meeting on Saturday to decide the further course of strategy following the decision of the party. “We understand that people have a lot of expectation from the Congress-JVM alliance. We do not want to break it for petty reasons. But then the Congress did not consult us before announcing the name of Sahu. We have decided to field a JVM candidate in Rajya Sabha election…we are ready for a friendly contest,” JVM general secretary Praveen Singh said soon after the meeting.
The JVM has demanded that the Congress explain how it had announced its candidate without consulting them. The JVM has left enough space for the crisis to defuse. But it depends on the ability of the Congress leadership to convince the JVM the circumstances under which it announced the name of Sahu.
“If they can convince us with genuine and sound logic we might think about changing our stand,” Praveen Singh said. The party has authorised Marandi to take a final decision.
Meanwhile BJP sources said that they were ready to support an independent candidate if they felt that such a candidate had a chance of winning.
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi Sunday, June 6, 2010
He is an alchemist who has developed passion for politics. Kanwar Deep Singh landed in Ranchi on Saturday as an air-dropped candidate of the JMM to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha election.
Interestingly, he never figured in the list of the possible candidates of the JMM-AJSU combine till a few days back. Including Mathura Mahato, Hazi Hussain Ansari, Hemlal Murmu another five JMM MLAs seconded his candidature besides two independents-Videsh Singh and Chamra Linda.
Soon after his arrival the JMM held a meeting at the residence of Mathura Mahato to forge a consensus over the name of Singh. A peeved AJSU chief Sudesh Kumar Mahato left the meeting in the middle. “I wanted that local people should be projected as the candidate of the alliance,” he told the media.
“I am not an outsider. I have been associated with Jharkhand for the past seven years,” Singh offered the explanation without any asking. He was addressing a Press conference at the residence of JMM chief Shibu Soren on Saturday evening.
Singh who runs a chain of hospitals in New Delhi and Chandigarh named as Alchemist Hospital Group claims high about his connection with Jharkhand and its people. “I have been running an aviation training institute in Jamshedpur and have trained around 200 people so far,” he said but then conceded having no prior apprenticeship in politics.
He said he had got the inspiration from Shibu Soren, Hemant Soren and Sudesh to join politics. Hemant who was sitting by his side reciprocated in the same gesture and said it was Singh who inspired Soren to open an aviation training institute in Sonasugandh in Dumka. Both showered compliments on each other.
The rookie then showed his political colours. “Sudeshji se meri baat hui hai wo mere saath hai…agar Baba (Shibu Soren) mujhe sansad me Jharkhand ki awaaz banana chahte hai to kya galat hai, (I had a talk with Sudeshji.
He is with me. What’s wrong if Baba wants me to make the voice of Jharkhand in Parliament.)?”
Stating that he had some plans to do some good for Jharkhand in the health sector, he claimed that this was one of his reasons behind joining politics through the Rajya Sabha election. “You can imagine what I can do for Jharkhand…a lot of works are to be done,” Singh rather tried to suggest that he could be a valuable edition for Jharkhand where health care service was not present even in token.
Tragic comedy was at its best display in the Congress-Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) following the decision of the Congress to field Dhiraj Sahu as the party candidate for the Rajya Sabha.
State Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu applied balm over the hurt sentiment of the JVM at a Press conference pledging the unity of the alliance. Balmuchu refuted the fact that his party had announced the candidate without consulting the JVM which wanted to field its candidate. “We were in regular with JVM chief Babulal Marandi during these days before announcing Sahu’s candidature. But we regret for not consulting the JVM before making a final announcement. We hope that they will understand,” Balmuchu said at a Press conference at the party headquarters.
Marandi held a marathon meeting on Saturday to decide the further course of strategy following the decision of the party. “We understand that people have a lot of expectation from the Congress-JVM alliance. We do not want to break it for petty reasons. But then the Congress did not consult us before announcing the name of Sahu. We have decided to field a JVM candidate in Rajya Sabha election…we are ready for a friendly contest,” JVM general secretary Praveen Singh said soon after the meeting.
The JVM has demanded that the Congress explain how it had announced its candidate without consulting them. The JVM has left enough space for the crisis to defuse. But it depends on the ability of the Congress leadership to convince the JVM the circumstances under which it announced the name of Sahu.
“If they can convince us with genuine and sound logic we might think about changing our stand,” Praveen Singh said. The party has authorised Marandi to take a final decision.
Meanwhile BJP sources said that they were ready to support an independent candidate if they felt that such a candidate had a chance of winning.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Soren likely to quit before trust motion
May 29, 2010
Soren likely to quit before trust motion
Claims to have obtained signature of party MLAs to support BJP
Vijay Deo Jha
Ranchi
This goes with stated warning: Prediction in Jharkhand politics is fool’s enterprise. You could be right, or you could be horrendously wrong. Look at Chief Minister Shibu Soren.
But then, JMM insiders beamed high hope that Chief Minister Shibu Soren might step down on Sunday before facing trust motion on Monday to facilitate transfer of power to the BJP.
“Though, it is very difficult to make prediction about the move of the JMM and Soren, but, indications of his likely resignation as CM are in the air, a senior JMM leader quoted.
JMM insiders claimed that the number of pro-BJP MLAs in the JMM has markedly improved as around 17 MLAs have already signed the support letter in the favour of the BJP. Sources revealed that senior JMM leader Mathura Mahato has been asked to collect the signature of jailed party MLA from Torpa; Polush Surin who has, so far, refused to support a BJP led government.
JMM seems to have gradually inching towards comfort zone after its vocal dissidents opposing a BJP led government—Simon Marandi, Teklal Mahato and others finally landed their lungs to rest and signed the support letter. Nalin Soren lastly appended his signature on Friday after a whole battery of JMM leaders headed by Soren air-dashed to Dumka to attend his family party.
Meanwhile JMM chief and Chief Minister Shibu Soren held a crucial meeting with the party MLAs and functionaries on Saturday evening to reach to consensus whether to stay with the BJP or to negotiate with the Congress.
Another dissident voice and Soren’s daughter-in-law specially arrived from Kolkata to attend the meeting. Sources close to her affirmed that Sita has finally departed from her anti-BJP stand which was largely motivated by her family feud with CM’s MLA son Hemant Soren.
“It is going to be very crucial meeting of the party. We have shown our unity as we are 25 MLA including our alliance partner AJSU and other sympathizers. JMM will tie-up with the party that will help us during floor testing,” JMM MLA Champai Soren said.
A section of the JMM pioneered by Hemant Soren still advocates a patch-up with the BJP and does not see any immediate benefit in joining hands with the Congress that curtly asked Soren to resign first before entering into negotiation for the government formation with the help of JVM and others.
AJSU that worked hard to stop further fissure between the BJP and the JMM was the part of Saturday meeting after Deputy Chief Minister and AJSU chief Sudesh Mahato along with his party colleague and minister Chandra Prakash Chaudhary attended the meeting.
BJP had withdrawn support from the coalition government on May 24 — a day before the deadline; for Soren to resign, after he refused to resign as CM as part of agreement reached among alliance partner: BJP, JMM, AJSU and JD (U) on May 18.
BJP reacted cautiously over the development saying nothing substantial about this JMM meeting, probably final round will be held on Sunday afternoon.
And if they at all are, it is merely to say that they have nothing to say not even whether it is a wise decision taken very late.
“What a pity you have taken the trouble to come all the way here,” kidded one senior central BJP leader, offering a hello on the phone line, no more.
When asked about the stand of the party in wake of probability of the resignation of Soren and whether her party will dim it fit to consider the proposal of the JMM to form a government headed by BJP CM; state BJP in-charge and party’s national vice president Karuna Shukla aired a detached looked, often diplomatic.
“He is resigning…very good, let him do. I am not in the position to tell you the next.”
In another development Soren finally forwarded resignation letters his five ministerial colleagues of the NDA to the Governor MOH Farook for acceptance, on Saturday. After Soren delayed in forwarding resignation letter gave media and Congress enough reference point to guess that JMM has still not severed its tie with the BJP might renew its alliance after some verbal spat. Both the parties refused to accuse each other and BJP had the only target to kick for the whole mess: Congress.
If Soren resigns and offers to lend support to the BJP to form government it will be yet another tough task for the central BJP to reach to a consensus after it ruled out to join hands with the JMM once again.
But then, a senior BJP leader had a different view said that the party might not have to eat its word. “BJP had asked Soren to resign first, and, if he resigns accordingly before the floor test then I find nothing wrong to form a government led by BJP and supported by the JMM,” the leader said.
It might not be the end of the game, those who know Soren will tell you.
Soren likely to quit before trust motion
Claims to have obtained signature of party MLAs to support BJP
Vijay Deo Jha
Ranchi
This goes with stated warning: Prediction in Jharkhand politics is fool’s enterprise. You could be right, or you could be horrendously wrong. Look at Chief Minister Shibu Soren.
But then, JMM insiders beamed high hope that Chief Minister Shibu Soren might step down on Sunday before facing trust motion on Monday to facilitate transfer of power to the BJP.
“Though, it is very difficult to make prediction about the move of the JMM and Soren, but, indications of his likely resignation as CM are in the air, a senior JMM leader quoted.
JMM insiders claimed that the number of pro-BJP MLAs in the JMM has markedly improved as around 17 MLAs have already signed the support letter in the favour of the BJP. Sources revealed that senior JMM leader Mathura Mahato has been asked to collect the signature of jailed party MLA from Torpa; Polush Surin who has, so far, refused to support a BJP led government.
JMM seems to have gradually inching towards comfort zone after its vocal dissidents opposing a BJP led government—Simon Marandi, Teklal Mahato and others finally landed their lungs to rest and signed the support letter. Nalin Soren lastly appended his signature on Friday after a whole battery of JMM leaders headed by Soren air-dashed to Dumka to attend his family party.
Meanwhile JMM chief and Chief Minister Shibu Soren held a crucial meeting with the party MLAs and functionaries on Saturday evening to reach to consensus whether to stay with the BJP or to negotiate with the Congress.
Another dissident voice and Soren’s daughter-in-law specially arrived from Kolkata to attend the meeting. Sources close to her affirmed that Sita has finally departed from her anti-BJP stand which was largely motivated by her family feud with CM’s MLA son Hemant Soren.
“It is going to be very crucial meeting of the party. We have shown our unity as we are 25 MLA including our alliance partner AJSU and other sympathizers. JMM will tie-up with the party that will help us during floor testing,” JMM MLA Champai Soren said.
A section of the JMM pioneered by Hemant Soren still advocates a patch-up with the BJP and does not see any immediate benefit in joining hands with the Congress that curtly asked Soren to resign first before entering into negotiation for the government formation with the help of JVM and others.
AJSU that worked hard to stop further fissure between the BJP and the JMM was the part of Saturday meeting after Deputy Chief Minister and AJSU chief Sudesh Mahato along with his party colleague and minister Chandra Prakash Chaudhary attended the meeting.
BJP had withdrawn support from the coalition government on May 24 — a day before the deadline; for Soren to resign, after he refused to resign as CM as part of agreement reached among alliance partner: BJP, JMM, AJSU and JD (U) on May 18.
BJP reacted cautiously over the development saying nothing substantial about this JMM meeting, probably final round will be held on Sunday afternoon.
And if they at all are, it is merely to say that they have nothing to say not even whether it is a wise decision taken very late.
“What a pity you have taken the trouble to come all the way here,” kidded one senior central BJP leader, offering a hello on the phone line, no more.
When asked about the stand of the party in wake of probability of the resignation of Soren and whether her party will dim it fit to consider the proposal of the JMM to form a government headed by BJP CM; state BJP in-charge and party’s national vice president Karuna Shukla aired a detached looked, often diplomatic.
“He is resigning…very good, let him do. I am not in the position to tell you the next.”
In another development Soren finally forwarded resignation letters his five ministerial colleagues of the NDA to the Governor MOH Farook for acceptance, on Saturday. After Soren delayed in forwarding resignation letter gave media and Congress enough reference point to guess that JMM has still not severed its tie with the BJP might renew its alliance after some verbal spat. Both the parties refused to accuse each other and BJP had the only target to kick for the whole mess: Congress.
If Soren resigns and offers to lend support to the BJP to form government it will be yet another tough task for the central BJP to reach to a consensus after it ruled out to join hands with the JMM once again.
But then, a senior BJP leader had a different view said that the party might not have to eat its word. “BJP had asked Soren to resign first, and, if he resigns accordingly before the floor test then I find nothing wrong to form a government led by BJP and supported by the JMM,” the leader said.
It might not be the end of the game, those who know Soren will tell you.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Non-political people guiding Gadkari, says Marandi
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
JVM chief Babulal Marandi sits calmly in his official bungalow with bifocals low on the ridge of his nose; bit quizzical about ‘his BJP’and ‘this BJP,’ the party he left some years back. He talked to The Pioneer on Thursday and the discourse soon meandered from current political impasse in Jharkhand and finally rammed the BJP house undecided over the fate of alliance and power sharing with the JMM.
“Dekhiye BJP matisunya ho gayi hai, (See BJP is mentally blank.)” Marandi questions the very wisdom of BJP national president Nitin Gadkari to announce withdrawal of support to the Shibu Soren Government only to take it back.
“Gadkariji is guided by non-political people, perhaps. There must be some non political persons around him who might have influenced him to change his mind. They could be anybody,” he does not name, “corporate honcho, his friends anybody.”
Not ready to subscribe the stated logic of the BJP to withhold the withdrawal of support to the Soren Government twice within two days in the past; Marandi argued that the BJP Parliamentary Board must have discussed pros and cons before taking such a decision.
Biggest part of the blame Marandi put on Gadkari. “I believe Gadkari must have some soft corners for those who influenced or persuaded him to change the decision of the party parliamentary board,” he said.
Marandi sounded BJP, the second largest party after the Congress, “Your decision will ruin the country and the party. If Gadkari can not think about his party he should at least think about the country.”
In 2003, when Marandi was with the BJP he had advised the party to sit in the Opposition rather to compromise to form Government. And after seven years Marandi believes the BJP has been repeating same mistake to stay in the power somehow and said that even if the BJP forms Government it will be short-lived bereft of the trust of the people.
“Soren offered unconditional apology after voting. But BJP was in hurry to announce withdrawal of support…later on it found it an opportunity to unseat Soren to grab power. Everybody knew Soren is not going to contest election…BJP could have got the CM post without loosing its face. Soren could have been convinced for a decent
departure,” Marandi said.
“Alas,” Marandi said, “everybody is pocking fun at Soren now,” as though he is paying tribute to end of Soren’s political life whom he considers the tallest tribal leader of Jharkhand.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/255812/Non-political-people-guiding-Gadka...
Non-political people guiding Gadkari, says Marandi
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
JVM chief Babulal Marandi sits calmly in his official bungalow with bifocals low on the ridge of his nose; bit quizzical about ‘his BJP’and ‘this BJP,’ the party he left some years back. He talked to The Pioneer on Thursday and the discourse soon meandered from current political impasse in Jharkhand and finally rammed the BJP house undecided over the fate of alliance and power sharing with the JMM.
“Dekhiye BJP matisunya ho gayi hai, (See BJP is mentally blank.)” Marandi questions the very wisdom of BJP national president Nitin Gadkari to announce withdrawal of support to the Shibu Soren Government only to take it back.
“Gadkariji is guided by non-political people, perhaps. There must be some non political persons around him who might have influenced him to change his mind. They could be anybody,” he does not name, “corporate honcho, his friends anybody.”
Not ready to subscribe the stated logic of the BJP to withhold the withdrawal of support to the Soren Government twice within two days in the past; Marandi argued that the BJP Parliamentary Board must have discussed pros and cons before taking such a decision.
Biggest part of the blame Marandi put on Gadkari. “I believe Gadkari must have some soft corners for those who influenced or persuaded him to change the decision of the party parliamentary board,” he said.
Marandi sounded BJP, the second largest party after the Congress, “Your decision will ruin the country and the party. If Gadkari can not think about his party he should at least think about the country.”
In 2003, when Marandi was with the BJP he had advised the party to sit in the Opposition rather to compromise to form Government. And after seven years Marandi believes the BJP has been repeating same mistake to stay in the power somehow and said that even if the BJP forms Government it will be short-lived bereft of the trust of the people.
“Soren offered unconditional apology after voting. But BJP was in hurry to announce withdrawal of support…later on it found it an opportunity to unseat Soren to grab power. Everybody knew Soren is not going to contest election…BJP could have got the CM post without loosing its face. Soren could have been convinced for a decent
departure,” Marandi said.
“Alas,” Marandi said, “everybody is pocking fun at Soren now,” as though he is paying tribute to end of Soren’s political life whom he considers the tallest tribal leader of Jharkhand.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/255812/Non-political-people-guiding-Gadka...
Friday, April 30, 2010
Soren sends apology letter to Gadkari, ready to accept BJP CM
BJP withholds withdrawal of support
Gadkari to take final decision, tribal CM favourable, says Hemant
Vijay Deo Jha
Ranchi
If it was not the breaking of the ice, it just got a crack. The BJP and the JMM stood on either side of it, hand still reaching out for a shake, the other still twisted in accusation, more or less in the fashion of an estranged couple nudged into another rapprochement bid.
After BJP Parliamentary Board’s decision of withdrawal of support to the Shibu Soren led government on Wednesday; the party cancelled its scheduled appointments with the Governor MOH Farook; twice on Thursday to hand over letter of withdrawal of support.
“The BJP has decided to withdraw support from the Shibu Soren government. Soren voted in the favour of the UPA government during cut motion in the parliament…it is politically immoral. However, we feel regret for terminating our scheduled appointment with the Governor because one of our ministers from the BJP Vaidyanath Ram has not come from New Delhi. All four ministers from NDA quota will resign simultaneously,” BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Raghuwar Das said at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
But the best answer of the changed stance of the BJP perhaps rested in the apology letter sent by Soren to the BJP national president Nitin Gadkari where he reported to have expressed regret over his voting to the UPA, which was done by mistake.
Content of the letter was elaborately discussed during the core committee meeting of the BJP and party’s parliamentary board in New Delhi, which found nothing concrete except words of regret. The BJP was successful to pressurize the JMM chief and Chief Minister Shibu Soren to step down and allow the BJP to occupy the CM’s post.
The BJP sought yet another time to meet the Governor — 7pm — only to cancel it just few minutes before the schedule.
The BJP pressed two of its crisis managers — state BJP General Secretary Ganesh Mishra and Spokesperson Sanjay Seth — who delivered tailor-made statement behind second such cancellation. Both of them parried to answer any direct question or to say when the crisis will be over.
By this time Soren had made substantial correction in the letter sent earlier. Sources in the BJP said that Soren agreed to step-down as CM to enable the BJP to get CM post.
What Soren wrote to the BJP bosses was tactically indicated by his son Hemant Soren, who during a news conference on late evening, said that the JMM had agreed to handover the CMs post to the BJP.
“We have made our intention known. We want a stable government. Nitin Gadkari has to take a final decision. But in any case only a tribal should be the next CM,” Hemant said.
Sources in the BJP said that party’s national general secretary Arjun Munda and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Karia Munda are the front runners for the CM’s post. Though, former BJP national vice president Yashwant Sinha is also nourishing ambition for an assignment in the new set-up.
But a section of the JMM has been opposed to fresh political realignment with the BJP. JMM MLA Simon Marandi and Teklal Mahato spoke quite contrary against expression of regret of Hemant towards CM’s move during cut motion.
“It could be Hemant’s personal opinion. He is the son of Shibu Soren he is not the son of the JMM. Shibu Soren did right thing at the right time. We oppose any relation with the BJP,” they said.
In the last two days Hemant addressed two such press conferences to diffuse the crisis asking the BJP to tone down its temper. For a moment Hemant even strayed in the Congress camp for coalition in case the BJP refuses to withdraw from its stated point.
The Congress on its part best tried to net dissidents within the JMM and held crucial meeting with its JVM ally to search out of a very difficult possibility of a rainbow coalition consisting of the Congress, JMM, AJSU, JVM, RJD and independents.
But by late evening their move came to a cropper following stand taken by Hemant. AJSU which is the alliance partner in the Soren government also made it clear. “We are with the NDA. We want a stable government. The crisis will be diffused very soon,” deputy Chief Minister and AJSU Sudesh Mahato said at a press conference.
There are some more twists in the political drama ready to unfold in the coming days.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Man in picture is Dilip Prasad
Guv suspends JPSC chairman
Vijay Deo Jha/Rakesh Ranjan | Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Ranchi
In an unprecedented move, Jharkhand Governor MOH Farook suspended chairperson of Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Dilip Prasad on Tuesday using the power granted under Article 317 of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, AK Sengupta, member JPSC, has been asked to hold the additional charge. Raj Bhavan sources said that the Governor ordered his suspension after getting nod from the Union Home Ministry.
It may be noted here that the advisory council of then Governor Syed Sibtey Razi, on February 25, 2009, had recommended his dismissal along with JPSC members Gopal Prasad Singh and former member Radha Govind Singh Nagesh for alleged irregularities while conducting various recruitments by the JPSC.
The council had also requested President Pratibha Patil for ordering a probe into their conduct and institution of criminal cases against them.
Razi had acted following the complaints, including that of irregularities in the appointment of 239 civil servants and 1,044 college teachers. The University Grants Commission, following the complaints of irregularities lodged by Jharkhand BET-NET Association last year in the appointment of college lectures, had requested the Governor to look into the allegation.
The association had claimed that at least 37 candidates close to the members of the JPSC received undue favour. It approached the Jharkhand High Court and contended that they were unduly selected for positions in the civil services and State universities (as lecturers).
There was no respite for the JPSC chairman after the next Governor K Sankaranarayanan had on August 4, 2009 given nod for vigilance inquiry against Prasad, Nagesh and Santi Devi into the limited competitive examinations for the recruitment of 60 deputy collectors from among Government employees.
Though, Article 317 (1) of the Constitution has ensured that the charges of corruption against a member of the State public service commission can be probed only by a Supreme Court judge. A member can be penalised or removed only after the charges are found true by the inquiry commission. But the Governor has been vested with the right to suspend a member on the specific charges of irregularities.
Prasad was appointed as officiating chairman of JPSC on September 22, 2004, after former JPSC chairman PC Hembrom's term expired.
The Governor also promulgated the ordinance of Panchyat election and approved the Bill for the establishment of National Law School as passed during the Budget session of the State Assembly.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Centre, States should jointly fight Maoists, says Brinda
NATION
Centre, States should jointly fight Maoists, says Brinda
Vijay Deo Jha
Monday, April 12, 2010
CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat said here on Sunday that the fight against Maoists was a collective responsibility of the Centre and States.
But then she mildly pricked the wounds and PC’s proposed resignation over the massacre of 75 CRPF jawans by Maoist at Sukma in South Bastar. “Such things (uproar over the resignation of PC) are bound to happen since PC has been in the habit of alleging and passing the bucks on others,” she said.
Karat said this in the backdrop of PC’s comment on the West Bengal Chief Minister during his Lalgarh visit in the first week of April where the Home Minister had said that “the buck stops at the Chief Minister’s table when it comes to Naxal violence.”
PC was angrily criticised by Bhattacharjee and Basudeb Acharia for use of ‘slang’ like buck.
Stating that Naxalism is no more a State issue after it has spread its tentacles in other States, Karat advised PC to take the State Governments into confidence to weed out the red ultras. “States like Bihar and Jharkhand should be taken in confidence…we need to be unanimous,” she said.
Karat refused to believe in the theory of the so called sympathisers that Maoists were camping in forests to do welfare of the tribals. “No, they have made their base in the forests because it is geographically and strategically safe for them,” she said.
But she was quite concerned over Maoists drawing political support for their bloody battle. “Some political parties are supporting Maoists and getting their supports,” she said. Karat was probably echoing her West Bengal counterpart who had obliquely referred Union Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee and her party Trinamool Congress were hand in glove with the Maoists.
Centre, States should jointly fight Maoists, says Brinda
Vijay Deo Jha
Monday, April 12, 2010
CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat said here on Sunday that the fight against Maoists was a collective responsibility of the Centre and States.
But then she mildly pricked the wounds and PC’s proposed resignation over the massacre of 75 CRPF jawans by Maoist at Sukma in South Bastar. “Such things (uproar over the resignation of PC) are bound to happen since PC has been in the habit of alleging and passing the bucks on others,” she said.
Karat said this in the backdrop of PC’s comment on the West Bengal Chief Minister during his Lalgarh visit in the first week of April where the Home Minister had said that “the buck stops at the Chief Minister’s table when it comes to Naxal violence.”
PC was angrily criticised by Bhattacharjee and Basudeb Acharia for use of ‘slang’ like buck.
Stating that Naxalism is no more a State issue after it has spread its tentacles in other States, Karat advised PC to take the State Governments into confidence to weed out the red ultras. “States like Bihar and Jharkhand should be taken in confidence…we need to be unanimous,” she said.
Karat refused to believe in the theory of the so called sympathisers that Maoists were camping in forests to do welfare of the tribals. “No, they have made their base in the forests because it is geographically and strategically safe for them,” she said.
But she was quite concerned over Maoists drawing political support for their bloody battle. “Some political parties are supporting Maoists and getting their supports,” she said. Karat was probably echoing her West Bengal counterpart who had obliquely referred Union Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee and her party Trinamool Congress were hand in glove with the Maoists.
Hemant gets tips in politics from father
Vijay Deo Jha |
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Ranchi
Father Shibu Soren would surely like to see his MLA son Hemant Soren to rise in politics and become the Chief Minister. But then, he reportedly suggested Hemant to graduate in politics before bracing up for such a long jump.
Even as Soren exerted his authority as the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief, insiders of the Soren family confided, he rejected the notion of the risk involved in his decision to contest a by-election within six months, which is mandatory to retain the Chief Minister's post.
Soren reportedly said this in the presence of his family members, his close aides and few party leaders on Monday afternoon, just an hour before his scheduled meeting with his daughter-in-law Sita Soren, whose resignation from Jama Assembly constituency Soren desperately requires to contest the by-election.
Sharp at 3. 30 am Sita entered the CM's House for negotiations. Well-placed sources said that Soren has now taken a firm stand to contest the election and declared that he was physically fit to discharge his duties as the Chief Minister.
The meeting continued till late in the evening. Sita refused to speak about the outcome of the talks but said: “I understand my responsibility as the daughter-in-law…the only thing that I can say right now.”
There are chances that Sita may be accommodated as the chairperson of Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation (JSMDC). A close aide of Sita told The Pioneer that she sought Soren's assurance for a quid-pro-quo to leave Jama.
“They (Sita and Soren) talked to each other…hopefully she will vacate Jama within a few days to pave way for Soren to contest the by-election,” said the source.
But if there was news coming out of the CM's House it was the report of Soren's mild rebuff to swirling rumour of succession theory that goes on to project Hemant as the CM in waiting.
If Soren did not specifically mention anybody's name in this regard he reminded the selected audience inside his residence about four decades of his toil in the State politics.
Sources cited few advices that Soren tendered during the meeting like there is no shortcut to success. And there can not be an air dropped CM or Minister. “The man aspiring to achieve these must contest as many elections as possible, even at the panchayat level, and must be connected with the masses,” Soren reportedly said.
The result of Monday's meeting will be known in the coming days. But for the time being Soren delivered political sermon to those who want quick success in politics.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
BJP steals Cong’s sleep, inducts Dhoni’s brother into party
Vijay Deo Jha/Richa Ojha | Ranchi
Monday, April 20, 2009
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If not Mahendra Singh Dhoni aka Mahi, the Indian cricket team captain; then his brother Narendra Singh decided to do fielding on the fine-leg of political match to catch votes for the BJP team.
On Sunday, he joined the BJP along with his team mates-exactly 12 in number — in front of the BJP team captain Raghuwar Das. This general election, not less than IPL, the BJP chucked a googly at the Congress by bringing him to the BJP fold hoping the penumbra of his famed brother will help the party to get the votes of Dhoni fan followers.
Whether, this elder (Narendra) consulted his apolitical brother Dhoni before joining the BJP. The State media which remain on prowl to get Dhoni related stories and juicy spices lobbed this question quite naively.
Elder brother answered elderly. “I am adult and capable of taking my decision I do not need to consult anybody,” he proclaimed. The message must go to the South Africa, where, he is locked in another battle on a 22 yard long turf.
What inspired him to join the BJP? Is there any reason behind it? “The BJP’s ideology and commitment towards people and development inspired me to join the BJP” this new proselyte in politics sounded good when he quoted Bhookh, Bhaya evam Bhrasthar—the BJP slogan-which inspired him to join the BJP.
Visibly impressed with the BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani and Narendra Bhai Modi, Narendra advised: “We should follow the model of Gujrat in developing Jharkhand.”
The sources close to him said that Narendra, who had gone to hear another Narendra; Narendra Bhai Modi; week back, was impressed with the speech of this fire brand leader which ultimately resulted his joining the BJP.
But, right now he will campaign for the BJP candidate Ramtahal Chaudhary in Ranchi and has no aspiration other than that. “I have no aspiration to be an MLA or the MP. I want to work for the party…and in this election I will campaign for the party, wherever required,” Narendra told the mediapersons at the party headquarters.
The BJP insider told that the party will avail his service to campaign among the youths, who are often dyed-in-wool follower of Dhoni. However Mahi often gave a fine sleep to the politicians like the AJSU chief Sudesh Mahto and the BJP leader Arjun Munda, who must have prevailed upon him to join the politics.
But, father Pan Singh must be happy to find one his Mahi has been bringing the bags of laurel (even Election Commission proposed to anoint him as its brand ambassador) his another son has donned political cap.
Will Narendra ask his younger to come to country and cast his vote on April 23rd? If not Mahi than his close associates had raised objection over the later was not provided with the voter identity card-it is for reference sake.
Son shadow over Soren-Sita talks
Picture www.udayavani.com
Son shadow over Soren-Sita talks
Suporters blame Hemant for Sasur-bahu communication gap
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Close aides of Sita Soren have branded Hemant Soren as a noise in the communication channel between Chief Minister Shibu Soren aka Guruji and his daughter-in-law.
Language is no barrier for the CM to communicate with Sita. But then, lack of a direct communication channel, and if there was an indirect one, it often had too much of noises and outside interferences that often aggravated the controversy over Shibu Soren aka Guruji's proposed constituency to fight the election.
"In a typical family with strong belief in taboo and Purdah system no direct communication 'perhaps' actually took place between Sita and Shibu Soren in the last three months to convince her to resign from Jama Assembly seat," an insider of Soren family said.
"And if they ever tried to communicate they were prevented by some vested interests. Though Hemant Soren, Guruji's son, has made all sorts of pledges to vacate the Dumka seat for the Chief Minister, he actually did not want Guruji to contest from there. He has the dream to become the Chief Minister which Sita will never digest. He is instrumental in the communication gap," the insider said.
Claiming widow Sita is a simple housewife who does not know dirty political tricks, her close aides said that she never nourished any political ambition but wanted some sort of compensation.
"She has not made any big demand in exchange of Jama which was once represented by her late husband Durga Soren…except the post of chairman of any corporation or board. But there is none around Shibu Soren who can carry her words to him, the insider said.
Sources added that at least two Ministers of the Soren-led coalition Government, all from the JMM quota - Hazi Hussain Ansari and Mathura Mahato - are quite keen about the political script of Hemant which is quite fuzzy and romantic.
Nevertheless, top JMM leaders confided that the matter was resolved at a high level meeting on Thursday night at CM's House where Sita agreed to pave way for Soren.
Whether Sita is ready to resign or already submitted her resignation paper to Guruji is all media report. Both the CM and Hemant refrained from corroborating it on Friday afternoon on the sidelines of the Cabinet meeting.
"Yes I will contest the election," Guruji said repeating what he had said to different audiences at different times refusing to disclose the name of the constituency.
Media grilled Hemant with the same query asking him to name the constituency from where his father plans to contest and one eager scribe asked if he would leave Dumka for his father.
"If I get instructions from the Chief Minister I will take no time to do so," Hemant said.
But by late evening Shibu Soren appeared confident when he was again asked to name the constituency while inaugurating the 'Bangla Sanskritik Mela' in the State capital.
"It is not too late. You will come to know…," Soren said, and his conscience keepers were successful in stopping him from dwelling over the issue further.
If Soren beamed such a high hope it was apparently due to the fact that Sita on Friday ventured to the Project Building (State Secretariat) along with the Chief Minister.
Many in the JMM interpreted it as the breaking of ice and a sign of the opening of a channel that can distinguish between noise and signal.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/248209/Son-shadow-over-Soren-Sita-talks.html
Friday, April 9, 2010
Govt dithers over panchayat polls
Govt dithers over panchayat polls
Vijay Deo Jha
RANCHI | Thursday, March 25, 2010
Trouble in Jharkhand isn’t merely over how and when to conduct long pending panchayat elections. It is over reordering the entire political landscape of a State that doesn’t care being polite about its bitter and visceral fault lines any more ie Sadan (non-tribal) versus tribal.
Sadans are simmering against the extension to Scheduled Areas Act (PESA).
Provisions of cent per cent reservation for Schedule Tribes for the posts of chief and deputy chiefs of all panchayat
bodies falling under scheduled area, across three tiers have irked Sadans.
The three tiers comprise gram panchayat (panchayat level), panchayat samiti (block level) and zilla parishad (district level).
The Government is dithering to announce the schedule of the elections and still searching for balm to stop anti-PESA passion to turn in flame. The Government echoed conflicting notes on the floor of the house whenever the Opposition demanded explanation over the scheduled date.
Well-placed sources in the Government accepted that the Government was caught in a conflicting situation. “Don’t know what to do. The Supreme Court has directed to conduct election without delay and these Sadans are dead against the elections in its present format. If you please Sadan it will offend tribals.”
“We have not received any representation from any Sadan outfit to amend PESA Act. Let it come first we will see,” the deputy Chief Minister Sudesh Mahato said.
And in the ringing words of Pandey Himansunath Roy, Convener of the Sadan Vikash Parisad, “We want the empowerment of the tribals but not at the cost of damaging the genuine interest of other social groups. We are opposed to violence but there will be thousands of frontiers of unrest; if elections were conducted under discriminatory provisions of PESA.
Lal Chand Mahato of Bahujan Sadan during Kurmi caste conclave few days back demanded ST status for Kurmi caste otherwise threatened to oppose the PESA Act.
The statement drew flak even some of the Kurmi leaders, who pilloried Mahato for ditching the larger interest of Sadans.
Now both decided to pitch battle against PESA Act in their own fashion. Mahato announced to gherao the Assembly and Roy and his supporters announced to hold demonstration at Jantar Mantar on April 26. Meanwhile, Sadan Vikash Parisad has also filed appeal in the Supreme Court against its decision on PESA Act.
The immediate cause of what’s unfolding today probably goes back to 2005, when the Arjun Munda-led NDA Government moved ahead to conduct panchayat elections under PESA Act it met spontaneous Statewide bandh.
The accumulated causes go even further back. PESA Act is probably merely the latest flash point.
“Sadans comprise 70 per cent population of Jharkhand and still discriminated,” says Nirbhay Kumar, a politically affiliated Sadan activist. What we do to be heard, resort to violence?
“Why they have all Chief Ministers and we have none? Why do they get preference in Government jobs? Why they have 60 per cent of power? Why should they (tribals) get reservations even in the panchayats with no tribal population? Why all these munificence?
Why? Why? Why? Sadan leaders are an angry trigger-burst of questions wherever you go; knowing their movement has no takers among the political parties.
“It is because political parties have no interest in the social issues. It is apolitical battle,” Roy said.
Daughter-in-law Sita may vacate Jama seat for Soren
Not will she or won't she but hasn't she
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
NATION | Friday, April 9, 2010
The Chief Minister’s residence was abuzz with report of the probability of the resignation of Sita Soren from the Jama Assembly constituency in a couple of days to provide a safe seat to her father-in-law and Chief Minister Shibu Soren to contest from.
Though Sita Soren, widow of Durga Soren, refused to give a direct answer, reliable sources in the JMM said that she has been convinced to tender her resignation for the interest of the party and the Government.
“I am yet to decide. I am yet to see the things…no comment over when, why and how of the resignation,” Sita told to The Pioneer.
But JMM insiders confided that the constituency drama would finally end with a happy note. “She could possibly hand over her resignation letter to the Chief Minister late on Thursday night or day after to pave way for Shibu Soren to contest from Jama,” JMM leader Supriyo Bhattacharya said.
Bhattacharya, nevertheless, refused to disclose whether Sita would be suitably rewarded for her good gesture — resignation which she had refused despite mounting pressure within the Soren family.
“It is up to Guruji (Shibu Soren) to decide the things,” he said.
Sources close to Sita said under the negotiations Sita wanted an honourable deal for her. “There is nothing specific. But when she has decided to stay in politics and now under pressure to relinquish Jama for the larger interest of the party and the government, the reward must be proportionate to that,” said a close associate of late Durga Soren, husband of Sita.
A peeved Sita on March 28 had announced to resign from Jama, obliquely hinting that she was under tremendous pressure within the family to vacate the seat. That day Hemant Soren, the younger son of Shibu Soren, had made a smart move and announced his willingness to quit the Dumka Assembly constituency if the controversy over constituency continued.
But by then the feud within the Soren family had landed in the public domain.
Storm in JMM over Soren’s probable constituency
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
NATION | Monday, March 29, 2010
A storm in a teacup is brewing in the JMM over Soren’s probable constituency. His son Hemant Soren and daughter-in-law Sita Soren on Sunday announced to resign from their Assembly constituencies — Dumka and Jama respectively — to pave the way for father Soren to contest the by-election.
“I can vacate Dumka seat for Chief Minister Shibu Soren to fight the by-election,” Hemant told the media on Sunday afternoon in Ramgarh district during an official tour with his father.
However, Shibu Soren neither attested nor contested the sudden revelation of Hemant. “I will contest as I told you,” Guruji said but refused to answer ‘where’ and ‘when’ of the constituency.
Shibu Soren, aka Guruji, is now running short of time — only three months — to contest and win the Assembly bypoll to retain the post of the Chief Minister. However, this time unauthenticated story of the rupture within Soren’s family is in air. A close aide of Sita alleged that Guruji’s youngest son Basant Soren and other leaders of the JMM are pressurising her to vacate Jama Assembly seat to make way for Guruji.
“I am going to resign from Jama for the Chief Minister to contest…I give you this breaking news,” Sita told The Pioneer over telephone in declamatory tone, adding, “I am fed up with…will be happy to remain as the ex-MLA of Jama.” She refused to disclose whether she could be suitably rewarded for that sacrifice.
“Do not know…cannot tell it right now. He (Guruji) is the guardian of the family he will take care of my interest,” she said.
Quick to snub the allegation, Basant swears: “She (Sita) is the wife of my elder brother and I have a lot of respect for her. It is a wrong allegation.”
But announcements and clarification could not help to break the ice; it rather exposed a major fault-line within Soren family. Sita, till a few days back, is reported to have protested her political disinheritance by leaving Jama. Despite the fact, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) insiders revealed, Guruji wanted to contest from Jama. However, the JMM insiders claimed that Guruji initially had even in his mind to nominate Sita as the JMM candidate for Dumka parliamentary election. But the discussion never took a serious proportion. Guruji is representing Dumka parliamentary seat and he is yet to resign from the Lok Sabha.
“It is unfortunate that in the JMM decisions are taken at the last hour when things go beyond control. He (Guruji) should ideally have convinced Sita to leave Jama assuring a political reward…no serious effort was made, perhaps. There is too much discord in the Soren family. Ambitions are too high,” a JMM party worker close to Soren family said.
Guruji’s tactical silence to announce his constituency gave rise to the suspicion that he was not willing to contest Assembly bypoll despite he made his intention clear to contest on the floor of the Assembly. Trusted lieutenants of Guruji had said that he will announce his constituency just after the budget session of the Assembly, which ended on Saturday. While Soren siblings made startling revelation of their loyalty to Guruji, the JMM house appeared divided. “Dumka was never the priority of Guruji. He had two options — Jama and Jamtara — to contest. JMM MLA from Jamtara Vishnu Bhaiya has already offered his seat. I do not who prompted them to go public,” a senior JMM leader said.
Meanwhile State Assembly Speaker CP Singh declined that he received any communication from Sita and Hemant about their intention to resign.
“I have not received any communication or any resignation letter from them,” Singh told The Pioneer. The turmoil in the first family of Jharkhand politics is public now.
Cop-bashing on closing day of Budget session
Vijay Deo Jha
RANCHI | Sunday, March 28, 2010
The concluding day of the budget session of the State Assembly saw the Opposition adamant over its demand to suspend Bundu DSP, Anand Joseph Tigga for allegedly manhandling a bank officer Nasim Ahmed, on March 23.
Alleging that the State Government was shielding the police despite the preliminary inquiry report of the IG Rezi Dungdung, which found him guilty of misbehaving with Ahmed, the Opposition demanded exemplary action against the police officer.
The Opposition was not satisfied with the Deputy Chief Minister Raghuwar Das' announcement that Tigga had been transferred with immediate effect and the police constable who allegedly thrashed Ahmed had been suspended.
JVM leader Pradeep Yadav, Vinod Singh of CPI (ML) and Annapurna Devi stalled the proceedings of the house for a couple of minutes.
Calling the Government callous, the Opposition blamed it for hushing up the matter by suspending only the constable and demanded that the investigation report be placed before the House.
Reading out the report, Das accepted that the IG had held Tigga responsible for not reacting promptly and restraining the accused police constable.
"But this is a preliminary report. A full-fledged investigation is yet to take place. The police need to obtain the version of other passengers and drivers present that night. For this the department will publish advertisement in the newspaper so that eyewitnesses may come forward to give their statement," Das said. He rubbished the Opposition's allegation that the government was defending Tigga.
However, in another case the Opposition forced the Government to suspend another erring police official, the station in-charge Barkattha police, Rambhaju Dayal.
Pradeep Yadav who raised the issue said that the police did not register an FIR of the death of a 13-year-old girl Anita Kumari (daughter of Damar Mahato of village Sallaiya), who worked as Dayal's domestic servant for eight months.
Taking the matter seriously the Speaker CP Singh asked the government to take action against Dayal. The State Government announced Dayal's suspension of on the floor of the House and directed the police to lodge an FIR. The House also announced action against Dayal under different sections of Labour Law for employing a minor as servant.
The House also passed the Bill for the establishment National Law Study and Research University with some minor amendments. Tabling the Bill the HRD Minister Hemlal Murmu said that the proposed university will cater to the needs of a vast number of students and prove as a milestone.
The Opposition however, wanted changes in the proposed draft, including the opening of two centres of the proposed university in Dumka and Jamshedpur. Pradeep Yadav of JVM wanted the government to make provision of 70 per cent reservation for the students of Jharkhand against the proposed 50 per cent. Both proposals were rejected.
The HRD Minister also announced a law to curb arbitrary hike of the fee by the private schools without the prior sanction of the State Government. Answering Congress MLA Gitashree Oraon's query, Murmu said "We will soon bring the law. From now on private schools will have to reserve some of the seats for the poor students after the enactment of Right to Education Act," the minister said.
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