Fix priorities for development: PC
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has asked officials and secretaries of departments to fix their priorities of the fiscal year 2010-11 by the end of June 30 so that its benefits reach the people.
During a marathon meeting with top officials of the Jharkhand Government at Raj Bhavan on Friday morning, Chidambaram rebuked the babus for their poor performance and rejected the statistics put forward by them.
Sources in the Government that the PC took officials to task for the non-execution of plans that he had set in his last visit to the State when Jharkhand was under President’s rule.
When officials tabled a proposal to construct another five lakh houses under Indira Awas Yojna in Jharkhand, the Union Minister demanded an explanation of the progress made in the past. Dismissing the data as ‘insufficient and incomplete’, he asked the officials to do more homework and directed them to complete pending works. Blowing hot and cold during the meeting, PC advised them to work in high spirits irrespective of how long the President’ Rule continue in Jharkhand. “You will stay. Do not care about the duration of the President’s rule,” he said.
Holding meetings in two phases; first with Governor MOH Farook, two newly appointed advisers and other top officials, including Chief Secretary AK Singh, DGP Neyaz Ahmed. Chidambaram held second round of meeting exclusively with the secretaries of the departments.
Chidambaram expressed concern over his flagship project Operation Green Hunt in the first phase of the meeting. Three officials from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs —- architects of anti-Naxal operation and security adviser DS Dadwal, Joint Secretary (Naxal management) Kashmir Singh and additional secretary (Naxal Management) DRS Chaudhary —- along with additional director of Intelligence Bureau P Mahendu took part in the security meeting.
Chidambaram, who in the past blamed ‘limited mandate’ as reason behind after failure of anti-Naxal operations in the States like Chhattisgarh, was not pleased with soft-peddling of Naxal issues by the Shibu Soren Government
Directing the police to continue a sustained operation against Naxalites, Chidambaram briefed strategy for the coming days. He assured to provide logistic supports, including specialised military training for the cops.
A source said: “Chidambaram asked top police and CRPF officers to work out strategy and avoid unplanned move to minimise the chances of the casualty.”
He heard patiently the request of the Governor to provide financial assistance for infrastructural development of Special Task Force (Jharkhand Jaguar) and Cobra Battalion specially formed for anti-Naxal operation. Farook had another proposal —- to include Naxal-hit villages of Ranchi (rural), Giridih and Khunti under Centre’s scheme of special financial package.
Stating that the development project must be pro-poor, he listed a number of programmes meant for the BPL family: distribution of food, old-age pension through Public Distribution System meant for people falling under Antyodaya.
Chidambaram directed strict implementation of projects under MGNREGA as well as the distribution of land among tribals of the Naxal-infested area. The Chief Secretary requested relaxation in guidelines of some of the centrally sponsored schemes like MGNREGA and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna to which Chidambaram assured consideration. But he made it clear that delay in the execution of the projects particularly in Naxal-hit areas cannot be tolerated.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Don’t fight in public, prepare for poll: BJP
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The BJP bosses mustered no courage to discuss the party’s fiasco in Jharkhand during the national executive in Patna. However, they asked the Jharkhand BJP leaders to prepare for Assembly election that might go along with Assembly election in Bihar.
“It was a national executive meeting and discussed only national issues. Jharkhand was not on the agenda. But then, we have been indicated to be prepared for the election in Jharkhand that might be held along with Bihar,” BJP’s national general secretary Arjun Munda said.
Meanwhile, the sources said that the central leadership was not pleased with the way differences among the leaders of Jharkhand BJP became public over the formation of the Government.
Cautioning them not to air their differences, the central leadership has sent a stern message to leaders. “Though the Nitish Kumar affair overshadowed most of the crucial issues and the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar remained the focal point of the agend, the BJP suffered a loss of image in Jharkhand. The leadership suggested for a quick plan of action to end the organisational dishevelment in Jharkhand,” a senior BJP leader said.
As the BJP leadership apprehends the Assembly election in Jharkhand, it has decided to start the process of the appointing the Jharkhand BJP president after the Rajya Sabha elections.
The central BJP has been relying on the field reports of Jharkhand gathered from different sources (other than regular feed) that has portrayed the party organisation a complete basket case. “If the elections are held in the near future, the party might not even retain the present tally of 18. We are left with little time to correct the things,” an office bearer of the party said.
Following the issues that has been raised, a crucial meeting of the Jharkhand BJP would be held on Wednesday. Besides the senior party functionaries, district president of the party, MLAs and MPs have been asked to attend the meeting. State BJP spokesperson Sanjay Seth said that the process of the organisational elections will be discussed during the meeting. A fresh appointment of the State BJP president is also on the agenda.
Nevertheless, central BJP asked Raghuwar Das to stay as the party president who soon after becoming the Deputy Chief Minister of the coalition Government had resigned from his post.
But, whether the appointment will be made through election or selection, is another controversial issue dogging the party. A section of the BJP-led by Munda in the past had demanded the appointment of the president through election. The central BJP may find it tough to maintain balance between the warring factions.
In the memory of the last one-decade, elections for the State BJP president was done only once in 2002. The way Abhayakant Prasad got elected against Suryamani Singh was another interesting story.
Within limited period, it will be difficult for the party to rejuvenate the organization as there are three prolems arising at this point: Firstly, membership drive is in tardy process; it is yet to be completed; and another is, the organisational election cannot be kicked-off before completing the first. Third problem is the party’s core committee that often takes crucial view over such matters before holding a larger meeting is defunct from the past eight months.
“My memory supports me to say that after the election, no such meeting of the core committee has been held so far. The core committee plays a crucial role in such matter and here the core committee is looking for a role which it has not been asked for,” senior BJP leader Saryu Rai said.
JPSC bends rules to appoint kin as deputy registrar
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Former members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) is now facing a vigilance probe for allegedly twisting rules to appoint their kith and kin as deputy registrars in the universities of Jharkhand.
For instance, the deputy registrar of the Ranchi University, Preetam Kumar did not fulfill the minimum qualification, ie, a minimum of eight years of service at a Government college holding the post of reader, the day he was appointed as the deputy registrar.
He was appointed against an advertisement by the JPSC in 2004 for vacancy of five deputy registrar, assistant registrars and others. But Preetam Kumar was only a lecturer with barely two-and-half years of service at a Government college when he was appointed deputy registrar.
“Rules were bended in his favour. According to rule the candidate must be a reader with minimum of eight years of teaching experience at a Government college. He had barely two and half years of teaching experience the day he was appointed deputy registrar of Ranchi University,” Sunil Kamal, Secretary Jharkhand NET-BET Association, said.
Preetam Kumar is stated to be the younger brother of sacked JPSC chairman Dilip Prasad. Interestingly Kamal who had applied for the post of deputy registrar at Ranchi University under Scheduled Caste category was surprised to know after the publication of the results that the JPSC had abolished the reserved post without publishing any corrigendum.
Preetam Kumar, who was selected in Bihar by the Bihar State University Commission in the year 2003, joined as lecturer of English at one of the colleges of Jaiprakash Narayan University, Chapra.
But then his association with the then chairman of the JPSC came as an added advantage. Though, rule regarding to the selection of deputy registrar clearly mentioned that the incumbent must possess a minimum of eight years of teaching experience at a constituent college. RU insiders said that JPSC relaxed the rule and counted his teaching experience of an affiliated college; Sanjay Gandhi Memorial College, where he taught for around six years.
“Since the post of deputy registrar is equivalent to the post of reader, the incumbent must fulfill the criteria. The appointment was finally made in April 2005…Preetam had superseded others,” a top RU official said.
While such appointments have come under the scanner the current status of the deputy registrar is not known. RU Vice-Chancellor AA Khan does not know whether Preetam Kumar is on lien or he resigned from the Jaiprakash Narayan University or continuing service in both the universities.
Khan took shelter behind memory-muddle to ascertain whether the service of the deputy registrar has been confirmed or not. “I do not remember and I do not know anything,” Khan said.
So was the case with Preetam Kumar who refused to answer to those questions. “Mujhko maaf karo. Mai sidha-sadha aadmi hoon…koi controversy me fasna nahi chahta hoo. Aap university se inquiry kar len. (Spare me. I am a simple man…do not want to get indulged in controversy. You better inquire from the university about the matter.)”
AJSU demands fresh election
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Passing political resolution against the continuation of the President’s Rule in Jharkhand, the AJSU has demanded a fresh Assembly election if an alternative Government is not formed.
Stating this during 25th foundation day of the party on Tuesday called Mahapanchyat, the AJSU chief Sudesh Mahato said that his party was not afraid of facing electorates. “President’s Rule cannot be an option in democracy…we opposed to the continuation of the President’s Rule for a longer duration,” Sudesh said this while addressing a motley crowd at Morhabadi Ground.
He also demanded fresh election if an alternative Government is not formed within a timeframe. However, he gave no sign whether his party will take an initiative to explore the possibility of a popular Government he also refrained from accusing any political party for the political mess in Jharkhand. It was left for second-in-command in the party Chandraprakash Chaudhary and others to accuse national parties — without giving them a name — for dishonouring popular mandate.
Yet, he dropped a cryptic note of his role as the peacemaker to save the coalition Government of Shibu Soren where he was the deputy Chief Minister.
But he reminded his party workers and audience, “Lack of an effective leadership is the root cause of the plight of Jharkhand,” and made claim for AJSU that can give effective leadership. He appealed the party workers to enhance leadership quality in them and said that the era of borrowed leadership must end for of the betterment of Jharkhand.
Though, it was a meeting to celebrate the foundation day of the party; it looked an election rally. Confident to increase tally in the coming elections party leaders projected Sudesh as the mascot of the party and Jharkhand and spoke loud about his achievements and dedication for development in his capacity as the Minister in the previous Governments.
So was Sudesh; busy collecting laurels from the crowd sitting on the right flank of the stage: women. “In the previous government I got less time, four months to perform. But I gave you more than what you had been fighting from the past 40 years—reservation in the Panchayat body. Instead 33 percent I gave you 50 percent reservation in the Panchayat body,” the election to which yet to be held.
In the political resolution the AJSU demanded the creation of greater Jharkhand comprising the parts of West Bengal and Orrisa. Among the regional parties of Jharkhand the AJSU became the first party to demand census on the basis of caste. Demanding separate column for backward classes and others the party said that the people of such categories fail to get their due share.
But the AJSU which so far trusted its electoral base among Mahato community has taken the cause Sarna code of the tribals of the State. “Tribals of Jharkhand follow Sarana religion. But due to absence of a separate column of Sarana in the census form; their religion is often misquoted,” political resolution reads.
The party also demanded the identification, rehabilitation and reservation for those who took part in separate Jharkhand movement asking the State Government to take necessary actions following the initiatives taken by Sudesh as the Minister in the previous NDA Government.
Results of third JPSC mains under scanner
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Thursday, June 24, 2010
The news from the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) is not that it has published the results of third JPSC Mains', but the main news is that the results are not going to help it to refurbish its tainted image.
A random survey of the result of 720 selected candidates against 228 sanctioned posts suggests that the aspirants having taken regional languages like Nagpuri, Khortha and Santhali in their mains' examination have outnumbered others appeared who in the examination sans regional languages.
Though, the acting chairman of the JPSC, AK Sengupta, appeared confident about the result hoping it to be free and fair it is yet to be ascertained whether earlier JPSC exams deliberately left loopholes for the mass mayhem of merit on the result sheets.
There are few teachers or say experts of the regional languages — those can be counted on the finger — whose service the Jharkhand Public Service Commission might have been taking to prepare examination questions and scrutiny of the answer sheets.
It does not go with an intended question mark over teaching expertise of such few who are also running regular classes for the JPSC aspirants. JPSC like any other public service commission of the country maintains secrecy of the method of the evaluation of the examination copy.
"But if there is anything dirty deal inside it will come out very soon. Yet the result is surprising the way students of those who have been running coaching institute of regional language and literature have passed in large number creates suspicion," an aspirant Anil Kumar said.
For instance one Rajesh Kumar running coaching centre of Nagpuri language and literature for JPSC aspirants is credited with an astounding success ration. 18 out of 20 students who attended his classes are reported to have been called for interview.
For instance BN Ohdar and Vinod teaching Khortha are boasting with success ration which is around 90; so is Somrai Tete who runs classes in Santhali in Ranchi.
Nevertheless, a score of students made unsubstantiated claim that all of them have been associated with the examination process of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission. The JPSC will never divulge any detail. The interview of the selected candidates will start from July 1.
The news about the result of third JPSC Mains is that commission's secretary Shivshankar Tiwari is reported to have already sent his doubts to the State Government with official seal.
Furious students block traffic for four hours
Vijay Deo Jha/Shruti Sahay | RANCHI | Saturday, June 26, 2010
College students and activists of the students’ union surged on the Ranchi University on Friday forcing shutdown and disrupting traffic for around four hours.
Unions like NSUI, ABVP, Jharkhand Chatra Morcha, Jharkhand Chatra Vikas Morcha, Student’s union AJSU and others held a joint demonstration in front of the university gate alleging RU administration for not taking any step to regularise their classes in the past three months in the wake of the strike of the non-teaching staff of the university.
Those who triggered rampage, though, are not listed as the regular attendee of the classes but they held placards to tell the problem faced by students in filling up the admission and examination forms.
At 10.30 am, NSUI activist tried to barge on the RU campus and blocked the narrow road connecting Firayalal Chowk to the Kutchery for four hours. They prevented RU Vice-Chancellor AA Khan, Vice-Chancellor and Pro-VC, VP Sharan from entering the university gates. The officials tried to pacify students, who were in no mood to relent.
RU Vice-Chancellor is scheduled to meet Governor’s adviser VS Dubey to resolve the issue of strike of the non-teaching strike on Saturday.
Partially accepting the problem of students, Khan said that students have been facing problem in filling up examination and admission forms which can be downloaded through internet. “We are trying to solve the problem. Yes, there is staff crunch due to the strike. The university has many days to scrutinise the forms. But teaching except in Intermediate classes are not hampered. RU is not responsible for this. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Jharkhand Academic Council,” Khan said.
For hours the university gate remained the centre of student’s unrest — sloganeering and burning tyres as the mark of protest. Around 2.30 pm, City SP, Shambhu Thakur along with Law and Order ADM, Debar Jonko and Executive Magistrate, Narendra Kumar Gupta reached the spot and appealed to the students to sit across the table. They demanded that the Director Higher Education Anjani Kumar Srivastava should meet them.
Director Higher Education probably had nothing to do with their complaints. “It seems that the non-teaching staffs not satisfied over few points after their salary was fixed in accordance with the recommendation of the Fifth pay Commission. But the HRD refused some of their demands, including that of sanctioned post. Non-teaching staff association used students force to pressurise the Government and the RU,” a senior HRD officer said.
Late on Friday evening, a delegation of NSUI leaders met Srivastava. It was decided to hold joint meeting of the representatives of the non-teaching staffs, leaders of the students union and RU official on Saturday to discuss the issue.
Meanwhile, the ABVP has called the meeting of State representatives on Saturday to decide on their programme to intensify the agitation.
“If the issue is not resolved in a couple of days, the ABVP will gherao the Raj Bahvan in the coming days,” Suman Kumar, ABVP general secretary said.
In the last five days, students’ unrest has spread from one college to another starting from SS Memorial to the campus of RU getting murkier with each passing day.
Vijay Deo Jha/Shruti Sahay | RANCHI | Saturday, June 26, 2010
College students and activists of the students’ union surged on the Ranchi University on Friday forcing shutdown and disrupting traffic for around four hours.
Unions like NSUI, ABVP, Jharkhand Chatra Morcha, Jharkhand Chatra Vikas Morcha, Student’s union AJSU and others held a joint demonstration in front of the university gate alleging RU administration for not taking any step to regularise their classes in the past three months in the wake of the strike of the non-teaching staff of the university.
Those who triggered rampage, though, are not listed as the regular attendee of the classes but they held placards to tell the problem faced by students in filling up the admission and examination forms.
At 10.30 am, NSUI activist tried to barge on the RU campus and blocked the narrow road connecting Firayalal Chowk to the Kutchery for four hours. They prevented RU Vice-Chancellor AA Khan, Vice-Chancellor and Pro-VC, VP Sharan from entering the university gates. The officials tried to pacify students, who were in no mood to relent.
RU Vice-Chancellor is scheduled to meet Governor’s adviser VS Dubey to resolve the issue of strike of the non-teaching strike on Saturday.
Partially accepting the problem of students, Khan said that students have been facing problem in filling up examination and admission forms which can be downloaded through internet. “We are trying to solve the problem. Yes, there is staff crunch due to the strike. The university has many days to scrutinise the forms. But teaching except in Intermediate classes are not hampered. RU is not responsible for this. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Jharkhand Academic Council,” Khan said.
For hours the university gate remained the centre of student’s unrest — sloganeering and burning tyres as the mark of protest. Around 2.30 pm, City SP, Shambhu Thakur along with Law and Order ADM, Debar Jonko and Executive Magistrate, Narendra Kumar Gupta reached the spot and appealed to the students to sit across the table. They demanded that the Director Higher Education Anjani Kumar Srivastava should meet them.
Director Higher Education probably had nothing to do with their complaints. “It seems that the non-teaching staffs not satisfied over few points after their salary was fixed in accordance with the recommendation of the Fifth pay Commission. But the HRD refused some of their demands, including that of sanctioned post. Non-teaching staff association used students force to pressurise the Government and the RU,” a senior HRD officer said.
Late on Friday evening, a delegation of NSUI leaders met Srivastava. It was decided to hold joint meeting of the representatives of the non-teaching staffs, leaders of the students union and RU official on Saturday to discuss the issue.
Meanwhile, the ABVP has called the meeting of State representatives on Saturday to decide on their programme to intensify the agitation.
“If the issue is not resolved in a couple of days, the ABVP will gherao the Raj Bahvan in the coming days,” Suman Kumar, ABVP general secretary said.
In the last five days, students’ unrest has spread from one college to another starting from SS Memorial to the campus of RU getting murkier with each passing day.
Maoists performs marriage of couple at kangaroo court
Vijay Deo Jha RANCHI | Thursday, June 24, 2010
You will not expect the Maoists singing and dancing on filmi songs at a kangaroo court instead of their pet revolutionary songs: Lal Salam. That was true with the kangaroo court held on late Tuesday night in the deep forest of village Barbaiyah situated on the border of Latehar-Palamu district.
Call it their desperate move to rebuild their image among the public or their spirit to fight against social evil cadres of the CPI(Maoist) they performed the marriage of a couple Pawan Kumar and Sandhya Kumari, who had been in love from the past three years. But they could not marry due to the demand of dowry by Virendra Prasad, the father of groom. Maoist even managed local priest to perform the marriage ceremony.
"We are against the dowry system. We acted only after the organisation has approached us in this regard. We tried to negotiate which failed and later on we forced the family of groom to be ready to face the consequence," CPI(Maoist) zonal commander, Satyendraji said.
The ceremony was performed at a kangaroo court in the presence of the family members of both the sides and the villagers as well. The boy hails from Barbaiyah while the girl is the native of Amba Kothi of Latehar district. Both are pursuing their graduation in Ranchi and Latehar, respectively. Though the bride side had paid around Rs 1.48 lakh as dowry to Pawan's family but they demanded more than what was offered.
The girl probably contacted local Maoist operative to settle the issue. Fearing Maoist backlash Virendra sent his son to Ranchi. Maoists allegedly threatened the family of boy to burn their house and even kill them if they do not call back Pawan for marriage.
Willingly or out of fear local villagers participated in the kangaroo marriage as witnesses. Claiming that CPI(Maoists) have carried nearly a dozen of such marriage ceremony, Satyendraji added that a few other similar cases are yet to be solved.
Vijay Deo Jha RANCHI | Thursday, June 24, 2010
You will not expect the Maoists singing and dancing on filmi songs at a kangaroo court instead of their pet revolutionary songs: Lal Salam. That was true with the kangaroo court held on late Tuesday night in the deep forest of village Barbaiyah situated on the border of Latehar-Palamu district.
Call it their desperate move to rebuild their image among the public or their spirit to fight against social evil cadres of the CPI(Maoist) they performed the marriage of a couple Pawan Kumar and Sandhya Kumari, who had been in love from the past three years. But they could not marry due to the demand of dowry by Virendra Prasad, the father of groom. Maoist even managed local priest to perform the marriage ceremony.
"We are against the dowry system. We acted only after the organisation has approached us in this regard. We tried to negotiate which failed and later on we forced the family of groom to be ready to face the consequence," CPI(Maoist) zonal commander, Satyendraji said.
The ceremony was performed at a kangaroo court in the presence of the family members of both the sides and the villagers as well. The boy hails from Barbaiyah while the girl is the native of Amba Kothi of Latehar district. Both are pursuing their graduation in Ranchi and Latehar, respectively. Though the bride side had paid around Rs 1.48 lakh as dowry to Pawan's family but they demanded more than what was offered.
The girl probably contacted local Maoist operative to settle the issue. Fearing Maoist backlash Virendra sent his son to Ranchi. Maoists allegedly threatened the family of boy to burn their house and even kill them if they do not call back Pawan for marriage.
Willingly or out of fear local villagers participated in the kangaroo marriage as witnesses. Claiming that CPI(Maoists) have carried nearly a dozen of such marriage ceremony, Satyendraji added that a few other similar cases are yet to be solved.
Vigil on mining houses paying levy to Maoists
Vijay Deo Jha |
RANCHI | Saturday, June 26, 2010
The Union Home Ministry is reported to have asked the Jharkhand Government to keep tabs on mining and industrial houses who are being accused of paying levies to Maoists. Though refusing to divulge the details of the content, sources said that the Centre has sought a detail report on the ground situation in Jharkhand.
"We are aware of the situation. Only yesterday, we were discussing to hold a special meeting in this regard. Though, I cannot give you the timeline, it will be held very soon," said Jharkhand DGP Neyaz Ahmed.
Although the Union Ministry regularly drops such missives, the current one has a background. It is in the wake of Central Government's seriousness to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2010. The mining lease of the companies found guilty of paying Maoists, or indulging in illegal mining, could be scrapped.
A joint secretary-level official of the Union Home Ministry had once told The Pioneer that after Chhattisgarh, mining companies in Jharkhand top the lists in paying a levy to Maoists for hassle-free operations.
The draft proposal currently with the Prime Minister Office has been actively advocated by the Union Home Ministry, which wants to snap financial lifeline of the Maoist for the success of the Operation Green Hunt.
Though there is no established data of the amount of the Maoist levy on mining companies, a top officer of Intelligence Bureau guessed that the amount could be above Rs 300 crore.
"It is true that some are in connivance with the Maoists while some others are paying out of fear. It is a big problem," the DGP said. But the State police have not been able to provide round-the-clock security against red ultras because the mines are often located in Maoists' den and buying passage from Maoist is easier than contacting police.
"Who pays them willingly? If you do not, be ready to shut down your operation. Some are fortunate as they have to deal with one outfit. But what about those areas where around dozen of such groups have cropped up," retorted an official of a prominent industrial house having stake in Jharkhand.
Timber and public works contractors must regularly pay them a cut. Coal and iron ore transporters --- Government and private --- must buy safe passage, industry, big and small, must cough up protection money.
And the amount paid is probably shown under the head of miscellaneous expenditure, i.e, road maintenance, purchase of taints for labourers and sundries.
Hindalco Industries Limited, a company of Aditya Birla Group, had to stop its operation after Maoists disrupted transportation of bauxite from mines in Gumla and Lohardaga. A senior politician knowing the region well said that the company could start its operation after accepting increased demand of levy by the Maoist.
But the security forces engaged in bloody battle against Maoists have a serious allegation against mining companies: Maoists using explosives to kill the forces are procured from the mining companies.
"Where from Maoists get explosives and gelatins? Jharkhand is littered with land mines killing innocent people and security forces. They must be getting these from such companies," Alok Raj, CRPF DIG said.
Raj sought a special probe and said that the inventory of the supply and use of the explosives by the mining companies in the mining operation should be checked.
©CMYK Printech Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Email Pioneer Syndication Services at info@dailypioneer.com for reprinting rights | Email comments to feedback@dailypioneer.com
Vijay Deo Jha |
RANCHI | Saturday, June 26, 2010
The Union Home Ministry is reported to have asked the Jharkhand Government to keep tabs on mining and industrial houses who are being accused of paying levies to Maoists. Though refusing to divulge the details of the content, sources said that the Centre has sought a detail report on the ground situation in Jharkhand.
"We are aware of the situation. Only yesterday, we were discussing to hold a special meeting in this regard. Though, I cannot give you the timeline, it will be held very soon," said Jharkhand DGP Neyaz Ahmed.
Although the Union Ministry regularly drops such missives, the current one has a background. It is in the wake of Central Government's seriousness to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2010. The mining lease of the companies found guilty of paying Maoists, or indulging in illegal mining, could be scrapped.
A joint secretary-level official of the Union Home Ministry had once told The Pioneer that after Chhattisgarh, mining companies in Jharkhand top the lists in paying a levy to Maoists for hassle-free operations.
The draft proposal currently with the Prime Minister Office has been actively advocated by the Union Home Ministry, which wants to snap financial lifeline of the Maoist for the success of the Operation Green Hunt.
Though there is no established data of the amount of the Maoist levy on mining companies, a top officer of Intelligence Bureau guessed that the amount could be above Rs 300 crore.
"It is true that some are in connivance with the Maoists while some others are paying out of fear. It is a big problem," the DGP said. But the State police have not been able to provide round-the-clock security against red ultras because the mines are often located in Maoists' den and buying passage from Maoist is easier than contacting police.
"Who pays them willingly? If you do not, be ready to shut down your operation. Some are fortunate as they have to deal with one outfit. But what about those areas where around dozen of such groups have cropped up," retorted an official of a prominent industrial house having stake in Jharkhand.
Timber and public works contractors must regularly pay them a cut. Coal and iron ore transporters --- Government and private --- must buy safe passage, industry, big and small, must cough up protection money.
And the amount paid is probably shown under the head of miscellaneous expenditure, i.e, road maintenance, purchase of taints for labourers and sundries.
Hindalco Industries Limited, a company of Aditya Birla Group, had to stop its operation after Maoists disrupted transportation of bauxite from mines in Gumla and Lohardaga. A senior politician knowing the region well said that the company could start its operation after accepting increased demand of levy by the Maoist.
But the security forces engaged in bloody battle against Maoists have a serious allegation against mining companies: Maoists using explosives to kill the forces are procured from the mining companies.
"Where from Maoists get explosives and gelatins? Jharkhand is littered with land mines killing innocent people and security forces. They must be getting these from such companies," Alok Raj, CRPF DIG said.
Raj sought a special probe and said that the inventory of the supply and use of the explosives by the mining companies in the mining operation should be checked.
©CMYK Printech Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Email Pioneer Syndication Services at info@dailypioneer.com for reprinting rights | Email comments to feedback@dailypioneer.com
Advisor’s appeal to varsities’ staff to call off strike rejected
Vijay Deo Jha | RANCHI | Sunday, June 27, 2010
Advisor VS Dubey's appeal to the non-teaching staff members of the universities of Jharkhand to call-off their strike was rejected as paper sentiment by the employees' unions.
Dubey communicated this on Saturday through Ranchi University Vice-Chancellor AA Khan following a meeting on Saturday with the RU Vice-Chancellor and Director Higher Education Anjani Kumar Srivastava and the Human Resource Department Secretary assuring to form a committee to correct anomalies in pay fixation under the Fifth Pay Commission within three months. He also assured the non-teaching staff that their salaries for the strike period won't be cut.
"He (Dubey) has assured the continuation of the service and regular payment of salary to those third and fourth grade employees whose names were deleted by the Human Resource Department as illegal. A committee will be formed comprising of the principals of the colleges, representative."
Khan said during another meeting with the representatives of the union of the non-teaching staff and students' unions. Requesting non-teaching staff to call-off their meeting in the interest of the students he said that the strike had affected the future of thousands of students who have not been able to fill-up their examination and admission forms.
Khan said that the HRD department would publish an appeal in the newspaper to call off the strike mentioning their concerns will be addressed.
Refusing this the union leaders demanded a written agreement with the Government in this regard. "Such appeals and promises have no meaning. Demands for which we have been fighting today were already accepted by the previous Government in 2007. How can one believe the Government when it is retracting from the agreement?" said Shiv Tiwari.
Yet there is good news for the harried students as the agitating employees agreed to spare some of their comrades-in-arms from the strike for a few days to help the students fill up their forms. A meeting of the representatives of the union of the non-teaching staff of all five universities will be held on Monday whether to call-off the strike in the wake of the appeal of Dubey or not.
As per instance while revising the pay scale of non-teaching employees the State HRD omitted the name of more than a dozen employees stating their appointment was not made against sanctioned posts. They alleged Srivastava was a troublemaker and produced papers to claim that whose service the HRD now disputes were attested by him in his capacity as the registrar of the Ranchi University in the past.
As the tripartite meeting begun at RU leaders of the students' unions Prasan Mishra of the ABVP and Kumar Raja of the NSUI objected the absence of Srivastava. They asked employee' unions present in the meeting and the V-C to end the stalemate and demanded the resumption of classes and official work in the colleges by Monday to help the students. The V-C assured to open the colleges by Monday. But how? On Friday students came out in the support of the demands of the employees forcing shut-down on the RU. Each used his lung power to score media point-more noise less communication. "Now the advisor to the Governor has intervened in the matter. We should honour him. He has accepted you demands. I have done the best possible thing for you…Go to the Governor if you want. Carry on agitation if you wish," Khan said.
At one point Khan put the burden of the current mess on the establishment and leadership of the State. "Unfortunately no proper system could evolve in Jharkhand after its formation…Salary fixation of the employees was not done."
Out of more dozen complaints of anomalies two can be recommended for the special case study of the administrative apathy of the HRD. The RU employee Radha Prasad who retired from the service as the head clerk was given the pay scale of peon in the salary fixation.
The name of SP Bundu, the physical training instructor who joined university service in 1989 was terminated by the HRD is in the list.
"They terminated my name saying there was no sanctioned post when I was appointed…they said I do not hold requisite qualification," Bundu said to The Pioneer.
If RU scored some points over the agitating employees it was division among students' leader. A couple of them who till a day back were hurling slogans in favour of striking staff were more enthusiastic today than any RU's spokesperson.
Vijay Deo Jha | RANCHI | Sunday, June 27, 2010
Advisor VS Dubey's appeal to the non-teaching staff members of the universities of Jharkhand to call-off their strike was rejected as paper sentiment by the employees' unions.
Dubey communicated this on Saturday through Ranchi University Vice-Chancellor AA Khan following a meeting on Saturday with the RU Vice-Chancellor and Director Higher Education Anjani Kumar Srivastava and the Human Resource Department Secretary assuring to form a committee to correct anomalies in pay fixation under the Fifth Pay Commission within three months. He also assured the non-teaching staff that their salaries for the strike period won't be cut.
"He (Dubey) has assured the continuation of the service and regular payment of salary to those third and fourth grade employees whose names were deleted by the Human Resource Department as illegal. A committee will be formed comprising of the principals of the colleges, representative."
Khan said during another meeting with the representatives of the union of the non-teaching staff and students' unions. Requesting non-teaching staff to call-off their meeting in the interest of the students he said that the strike had affected the future of thousands of students who have not been able to fill-up their examination and admission forms.
Khan said that the HRD department would publish an appeal in the newspaper to call off the strike mentioning their concerns will be addressed.
Refusing this the union leaders demanded a written agreement with the Government in this regard. "Such appeals and promises have no meaning. Demands for which we have been fighting today were already accepted by the previous Government in 2007. How can one believe the Government when it is retracting from the agreement?" said Shiv Tiwari.
Yet there is good news for the harried students as the agitating employees agreed to spare some of their comrades-in-arms from the strike for a few days to help the students fill up their forms. A meeting of the representatives of the union of the non-teaching staff of all five universities will be held on Monday whether to call-off the strike in the wake of the appeal of Dubey or not.
As per instance while revising the pay scale of non-teaching employees the State HRD omitted the name of more than a dozen employees stating their appointment was not made against sanctioned posts. They alleged Srivastava was a troublemaker and produced papers to claim that whose service the HRD now disputes were attested by him in his capacity as the registrar of the Ranchi University in the past.
As the tripartite meeting begun at RU leaders of the students' unions Prasan Mishra of the ABVP and Kumar Raja of the NSUI objected the absence of Srivastava. They asked employee' unions present in the meeting and the V-C to end the stalemate and demanded the resumption of classes and official work in the colleges by Monday to help the students. The V-C assured to open the colleges by Monday. But how? On Friday students came out in the support of the demands of the employees forcing shut-down on the RU. Each used his lung power to score media point-more noise less communication. "Now the advisor to the Governor has intervened in the matter. We should honour him. He has accepted you demands. I have done the best possible thing for you…Go to the Governor if you want. Carry on agitation if you wish," Khan said.
At one point Khan put the burden of the current mess on the establishment and leadership of the State. "Unfortunately no proper system could evolve in Jharkhand after its formation…Salary fixation of the employees was not done."
Out of more dozen complaints of anomalies two can be recommended for the special case study of the administrative apathy of the HRD. The RU employee Radha Prasad who retired from the service as the head clerk was given the pay scale of peon in the salary fixation.
The name of SP Bundu, the physical training instructor who joined university service in 1989 was terminated by the HRD is in the list.
"They terminated my name saying there was no sanctioned post when I was appointed…they said I do not hold requisite qualification," Bundu said to The Pioneer.
If RU scored some points over the agitating employees it was division among students' leader. A couple of them who till a day back were hurling slogans in favour of striking staff were more enthusiastic today than any RU's spokesperson.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
FRONT PAGE, NATION
Soren to make way for BJP Govt by May 25
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Ending a three-week long political impasse in Jharkhand, the ruling combine in the State — the JMM, BJP and AJSU on Tuesday reached an agreement on sharing power on rotational basis with a BJP-led Government headed by Arjun Munda to take over within a week.
At a joint Press conference, leaders of the alliance on Tuesday said that they have crossed the “first hurdle” with regard to transfer of power in the State. If everything goes according to their plans, Chief Minister Shibu Soren will resign on May 25 to make way for the BJP to form Government.
“We have decided that the BJP and JMM will share power for 28 months each with the BJP taking over in the first phase,” Chief Minister Shibu Soren and BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Arjun Munda told mediapersons after a meeting of the coalition partners.
Asked when he would step down as Chief Minister, Soren replied “very soon” without giving a date. The BJP and AJSU leaders, however, claimed the power shift would take place on May 25.
“As a general secretary of the party, I was asked by my party to take the initiative for the formation of the Government. You must be thinking about the next CM. Central BJP will nominate the CM in the coming days. You will be informed about all developments,” Munda said.
According to sources, the alliance partners would hold further meetings to iron out differences on “certain” issues.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister and Munda’s arch rival Raghuwar Das publicly displayed his frustration by leaving the meeting in the middle. He kept away from the media briefing at the party headquarters addressed by Munda. Das is also the State president of the party.
Munda faction often blamed that Das for creating hurdles for the former Chief Minister. They said Das had told the JMM not accept Munda as the next Chief Minister.
Although coalition partners have claimed to have reached a consensus, sources told The Pioneer that there is still disagreement over the BJP’s choice for the CM, and distribution of portfolios.
If there is a factor that forced both the parties to negotiating table was news coming from the Raj Bhavan where Governor MOH Farook reportedly summoned the Advocate General to seek his advice over constitutional crisis.
“We do not want President’s rule in Jharkhand. We are united for the development of the State,” Hemant Soren told The Pioneer.
The BJP had announced its decision to withdraw support to the Shibu Soren government on April 28 after the JMM chief voted against the BJP-sponsored cut-motions in the Lok Sabha.
Soren to make way for BJP Govt by May 25
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Ending a three-week long political impasse in Jharkhand, the ruling combine in the State — the JMM, BJP and AJSU on Tuesday reached an agreement on sharing power on rotational basis with a BJP-led Government headed by Arjun Munda to take over within a week.
At a joint Press conference, leaders of the alliance on Tuesday said that they have crossed the “first hurdle” with regard to transfer of power in the State. If everything goes according to their plans, Chief Minister Shibu Soren will resign on May 25 to make way for the BJP to form Government.
“We have decided that the BJP and JMM will share power for 28 months each with the BJP taking over in the first phase,” Chief Minister Shibu Soren and BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Arjun Munda told mediapersons after a meeting of the coalition partners.
Asked when he would step down as Chief Minister, Soren replied “very soon” without giving a date. The BJP and AJSU leaders, however, claimed the power shift would take place on May 25.
“As a general secretary of the party, I was asked by my party to take the initiative for the formation of the Government. You must be thinking about the next CM. Central BJP will nominate the CM in the coming days. You will be informed about all developments,” Munda said.
According to sources, the alliance partners would hold further meetings to iron out differences on “certain” issues.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister and Munda’s arch rival Raghuwar Das publicly displayed his frustration by leaving the meeting in the middle. He kept away from the media briefing at the party headquarters addressed by Munda. Das is also the State president of the party.
Munda faction often blamed that Das for creating hurdles for the former Chief Minister. They said Das had told the JMM not accept Munda as the next Chief Minister.
Although coalition partners have claimed to have reached a consensus, sources told The Pioneer that there is still disagreement over the BJP’s choice for the CM, and distribution of portfolios.
If there is a factor that forced both the parties to negotiating table was news coming from the Raj Bhavan where Governor MOH Farook reportedly summoned the Advocate General to seek his advice over constitutional crisis.
“We do not want President’s rule in Jharkhand. We are united for the development of the State,” Hemant Soren told The Pioneer.
The BJP had announced its decision to withdraw support to the Shibu Soren government on April 28 after the JMM chief voted against the BJP-sponsored cut-motions in the Lok Sabha.
Guruji keeps disciple Arjun tense
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Saturday, May 22, 2010
The BJP will not stretch the deadline beyond May 25 for Shibu Soren to resign as Chief Minister for the transfer of power to the BJP as per the rotational formula.
Sources in the BJP said that the parliamentary board of the party will take a final decision on May 25 whether to keep an alliance with the JMM after Soren, who on Thursday declined that he ever made any commitment with the BJP to relinquish the CM’s post by May 25.
Authoritative sources in the BJP confirmed that Soren has been asked to resign by 2pm on May 25. “The BJP will withdraw support from the Shibu Soren Government. The BJP is not at all pleased with what Soren has been telling to the media after he agreed to resign as CM, following an agreement on rotational formula,” a senior BJP leader told The Pioneer over telephone from New Delhi.
BJP’s wait for final words from Soren over the transfer of power and his resignation from CM post might end on Saturday. “Soren is expected to make his stand public on Saturday through a Press conference. Today we had no significant political discussion over current impasse,” JMM MLA Hemlal Murmu told the media in Bokaro on Friday.
Murmu spoke quite a different thing; even contradicting his party boss Soren on a crucial point who claimed that the issue of his resignation was never discussed in the joint meeting of the JMM-BJP-AJSU-JD(U) on May 18.
“It is true that during the meeting leaders unanimously agreed that he (Soren) will resign from CM’s post by May 25 under the formula of the rotation of the CM’s post between the BJP and the JMM for 28 months each.”
Soren, who has been in Bokaro to commemorate first death anniversary of his elder son, Durga Soren, again reiterated what he had said on Thursday.
“I fought for the creation of Jharkhand. I formed the Government for five years, I will complete the tenure. Who will remove me? Will you?” Soren asked the media.
But then it was not the final statement. In between Soren’s claimed five years of tenure, “there could be a change also,” Soren said. For the BJP, it is difficult to draw any reference of the future course of strategy of Soren.
A section of the BJP that initially opposed the continuation of coalition Government with the JMM has mounted pressure on the party to snap tie with the JMM arguing that the party has suffered enough political loss.
Senior party leader MM Joshi on Friday even refused to comment over Jharkhand affair terming it “a theatre of the absurd”. “It has become a theatre of the absurd. I would not like to say anything more on this,” Joshi was quoted by PTI when the reporters asked for his views on JMM dilly-dallying over support to a BJP-led Government.
But BJP national vice-president Karuna Shukla and Godda MP Nishikant Dubey are few optimists who believed that Soren will step-down on the given date.
Nothing could stop JMM leaders and Soren from surcharging political atmosphere with oblique notes, even thought it was the first death anniversary of Durga Soren. Around six JMM MLAs who gathered to remember Durga reportedly huddled in a close door meeting with Soren at his Bokaro residence.
Soren has strategically let loose a couple of his party MLAs, including Teklal Mahato, Simon Marandi, Lobin Hembrum and Nalin Soren — reportedly in New Delhi — to negotiate with the Congress leaders sources said. The leaders may meet Oscar Fernandes, they added. BJP’s front runner for CM’s post Arjun Munda, who had taken initiative to persuade JMM to agree for power sharing on May 18 maintained silence.
“Boss will speak only after May 25,” one of his close aides said. But in between the make and mar of the government, Munda can at least bask in the glory of having gained support of the BJP parliamentary board that refused to form government in Jharkhand without Munda as CM.
RANCHI
‘In touch with NDA, UPA for stable Govt’
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | | Sunday, May 23, 2010
This is a bit like playing cricket at a third location as if your home turf has been dug up - JMM MLAs have moved from one location to another making BJP wary about the proposed transfer of the Chief Minister’s post.
“JMM legislators, right now, are located at different places. Some of them are in New Delhi. We will meet on Sunday in Ranchi to take a final decision,” Chief Minister and JMM chief Shibu Soren told the media in Bokaro on Saturday morning.
Soren who on Tuesday declined to resign as Chief Minister of the coalition Government of JMM-BJP-AJSU-JD (U) to hand over the Chief Minister’s post to the BJP; provided yet another political recipe.
“We are in touch with the NDA and UPA for a stable Government,” Soren added.
This came along with the changed stand of Soren’s MLA son Hemant Soren who till a couple of days back had sworn to stay in the NDA fold. “JMM had no such written agreement with the BJP during the joint meeting on May 18 under which he (Shibu Soren) has to resign by May 25. We are in touch with the UPA also and I do not rule out the possibility of an UPA Government in Jharkhand,” Hemant told the media in Bokaro.
The BJP broke its silence the over fast changing colour of the JMM and slammed Soren for making a white lie. “Soren has surprised everybody. How can Soren deny that he is among those signatories who had signed the agreement for the rotation of the Chief Minister’s post between the BJP and the JMM for 28 months each and agreed to step down by May 25?” senior BJP leader Saryu Rai said.
But the greater part of the responsibility of the 25-day-long political crisis in Jharkhand he invariably shifted to the State leadership for inapt handling of the issue.
“Surprisingly, the State leadership has kept its silence during all these days. No official statement has been given so far. It has lowered the morale of the party workers,” he said.
Rai rather suggested to the Central leadership to focus upon the party organisation and asked BJP Ministers in the Soren Government to resign.
A central BJP leader who had opposed any truck with the JMM told The Pioneer: “Mutual trust is a basic thing in coalition politics. It has lost in the case of BJP and JMM. I do not think of any prospect of Government formation.”
Soren is in the bid to woo the Congress to form the Government. His MLAs; Simon Marandi, Lobin Hembrom are staying in New Delhi desperately seeking audience of some senior Congress leaders. Rest are scattered at different places. But then, the final match will be played in Ranchi on Sunday if Soren is to be believed.
‘In touch with NDA, UPA for stable Govt’
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | | Sunday, May 23, 2010
This is a bit like playing cricket at a third location as if your home turf has been dug up - JMM MLAs have moved from one location to another making BJP wary about the proposed transfer of the Chief Minister’s post.
“JMM legislators, right now, are located at different places. Some of them are in New Delhi. We will meet on Sunday in Ranchi to take a final decision,” Chief Minister and JMM chief Shibu Soren told the media in Bokaro on Saturday morning.
Soren who on Tuesday declined to resign as Chief Minister of the coalition Government of JMM-BJP-AJSU-JD (U) to hand over the Chief Minister’s post to the BJP; provided yet another political recipe.
“We are in touch with the NDA and UPA for a stable Government,” Soren added.
This came along with the changed stand of Soren’s MLA son Hemant Soren who till a couple of days back had sworn to stay in the NDA fold. “JMM had no such written agreement with the BJP during the joint meeting on May 18 under which he (Shibu Soren) has to resign by May 25. We are in touch with the UPA also and I do not rule out the possibility of an UPA Government in Jharkhand,” Hemant told the media in Bokaro.
The BJP broke its silence the over fast changing colour of the JMM and slammed Soren for making a white lie. “Soren has surprised everybody. How can Soren deny that he is among those signatories who had signed the agreement for the rotation of the Chief Minister’s post between the BJP and the JMM for 28 months each and agreed to step down by May 25?” senior BJP leader Saryu Rai said.
But the greater part of the responsibility of the 25-day-long political crisis in Jharkhand he invariably shifted to the State leadership for inapt handling of the issue.
“Surprisingly, the State leadership has kept its silence during all these days. No official statement has been given so far. It has lowered the morale of the party workers,” he said.
Rai rather suggested to the Central leadership to focus upon the party organisation and asked BJP Ministers in the Soren Government to resign.
A central BJP leader who had opposed any truck with the JMM told The Pioneer: “Mutual trust is a basic thing in coalition politics. It has lost in the case of BJP and JMM. I do not think of any prospect of Government formation.”
Soren is in the bid to woo the Congress to form the Government. His MLAs; Simon Marandi, Lobin Hembrom are staying in New Delhi desperately seeking audience of some senior Congress leaders. Rest are scattered at different places. But then, the final match will be played in Ranchi on Sunday if Soren is to be believed.
NATION | Monday, May 24, 2010
BJP to withdraw support to Soren Govt today
Vijay Deo Jha/PNS | Ranchi/Delhi
The ongoing political crisis in Jharkhand seems to have made certain the divorce between the BJP and JMM. Former BJP president Rajnath Singh, on behalf of the national leadership of the party, has conveyed to chief ministerial candidate Arjun Munda and State party president Raghuwar Das to withdraw support to the JMM-led coalition Government.
The State BJP would withdraw support to the Soren Government on Monday, said State BJP spokesman Sanjay Seth. A BJP delegation led by Jharkhand Deputy Chief Minister Raghuwar Das will meet Governor MOH Farooq on Monday morning to hand over the letter of withdrawal of support to the JMM Government, sources said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shibu Soren on Sunday claimed that he had a “pending offer” of a berth in the Union Cabinet and said he would consider it when he felt like accepting it.
“Yes, the offer has been there for quite some time. But I will accept it when I feel like,” Soren told mediapersons in Bokaro when asked if he had any offer of a berth in the Union Cabinet. On Saturday, Soren had said that all options were open for the JMM and he was in touch with the Congress. Soren said he continued to be the Chief Minister of Jharkhand and would complete his tenure.
The BJP’s national vice-president and party in-charge of Jharkhand affairs Karuna Shukla, meanwhile, told PTI, “I can only say that the final outcome will come at the earliest.”
Earlier in the day, the BJP had said that it would wait till May 25 to take a final decision on the issue of support. “I do not want to give an untimely reaction to current political crisis in Jharkhand. Let us wait till May 25 when Soren has to resign. BJP parliamentary body will settle the matter for all,” BJP national vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told The Pioneer.
Looking for an honourable exit point from the ‘theatre of absurd’ --- as Murli Manohar Joshi told about the political impasse between the BJP and the JMM --- sources in the BJP suggested that the party had no more options left except withdrawal of support if Soren refuses to step down to honour the deal.
“The BJP is a national party and it must behave accordingly…as per agreement with JMM, Soren has to relinquish the post by May 25. We should wait till this time,” Naqvi said on Sunday afternoon.
The BJP has been watching the move of the Congress that has just entered into the scene. Sources in the BJP claimed that a few of the JMM MLAs are still in the favour of the BJP-led Government. “What they speak publicly against a BJP-led Government but there are a few JMM MLAs who are in our support,” a senior office bearer of the BJP said.
Senior BJP leader Saryu Rai, who opposed any alliance with the JMM right from the first day, termed the very division in the JMM quite natural.
“Two years back during the Rajya Sabha election, there was a vertical split in the JMM when the party MLAs got divided on the name of supporting the BJP and the Congress. Two years later the JMM has been facing the same situation. That time a big corporate honcho was involved in wheeling-dealing…today people of same feather are fomenting trouble in the JMM,” Rai said this at a Press conference.
He reminded the past statement of JMM MLA Hemlal Murmu, who publicly accepted that Soren as per agreement has to resign by May 25 under the formula of the rotation of CM post to the BJP for first 28 months.
Meanwhile, the Congress is learnt to be working on the strategy to engage the JMM in negotiation. But then the Congress has no convincing roadmap to the JMM to form an alternative Government and the party is not sure whether its key ally JVM having 11 MLAs will be the part of a deal. But the RJD with five MLAs is ready to join Congress’ effort to form Government to kick out the BJP.
Sources in the Congress said that Central Congress leadership is not keen to form Government with the help of the JMM. And on an occasion, party sources said, it lambasted State leadership for showing unnecessary enthusiasm to form Government.
“But then, we can mar the prospect of the Government formation. We have not been stopped from doing so. Initial results are encouraging,” a senior Congress leader said. Ranchi once again became the centre stage of the State politics after staying in Bokaro for a couple of days.
Soren returned to Ranchi on Sunday night. A couple of JMM MLAs, including Teklal Mahato, Simon Marandi and Lobin Hembrom, who reportedly shifted their base to New Delhi searching the prospect of a new Government with UPA are expected to return on Monday/Tuesday night.
BJP to withdraw support to Soren Govt today
Vijay Deo Jha/PNS | Ranchi/Delhi
The ongoing political crisis in Jharkhand seems to have made certain the divorce between the BJP and JMM. Former BJP president Rajnath Singh, on behalf of the national leadership of the party, has conveyed to chief ministerial candidate Arjun Munda and State party president Raghuwar Das to withdraw support to the JMM-led coalition Government.
The State BJP would withdraw support to the Soren Government on Monday, said State BJP spokesman Sanjay Seth. A BJP delegation led by Jharkhand Deputy Chief Minister Raghuwar Das will meet Governor MOH Farooq on Monday morning to hand over the letter of withdrawal of support to the JMM Government, sources said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shibu Soren on Sunday claimed that he had a “pending offer” of a berth in the Union Cabinet and said he would consider it when he felt like accepting it.
“Yes, the offer has been there for quite some time. But I will accept it when I feel like,” Soren told mediapersons in Bokaro when asked if he had any offer of a berth in the Union Cabinet. On Saturday, Soren had said that all options were open for the JMM and he was in touch with the Congress. Soren said he continued to be the Chief Minister of Jharkhand and would complete his tenure.
The BJP’s national vice-president and party in-charge of Jharkhand affairs Karuna Shukla, meanwhile, told PTI, “I can only say that the final outcome will come at the earliest.”
Earlier in the day, the BJP had said that it would wait till May 25 to take a final decision on the issue of support. “I do not want to give an untimely reaction to current political crisis in Jharkhand. Let us wait till May 25 when Soren has to resign. BJP parliamentary body will settle the matter for all,” BJP national vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told The Pioneer.
Looking for an honourable exit point from the ‘theatre of absurd’ --- as Murli Manohar Joshi told about the political impasse between the BJP and the JMM --- sources in the BJP suggested that the party had no more options left except withdrawal of support if Soren refuses to step down to honour the deal.
“The BJP is a national party and it must behave accordingly…as per agreement with JMM, Soren has to relinquish the post by May 25. We should wait till this time,” Naqvi said on Sunday afternoon.
The BJP has been watching the move of the Congress that has just entered into the scene. Sources in the BJP claimed that a few of the JMM MLAs are still in the favour of the BJP-led Government. “What they speak publicly against a BJP-led Government but there are a few JMM MLAs who are in our support,” a senior office bearer of the BJP said.
Senior BJP leader Saryu Rai, who opposed any alliance with the JMM right from the first day, termed the very division in the JMM quite natural.
“Two years back during the Rajya Sabha election, there was a vertical split in the JMM when the party MLAs got divided on the name of supporting the BJP and the Congress. Two years later the JMM has been facing the same situation. That time a big corporate honcho was involved in wheeling-dealing…today people of same feather are fomenting trouble in the JMM,” Rai said this at a Press conference.
He reminded the past statement of JMM MLA Hemlal Murmu, who publicly accepted that Soren as per agreement has to resign by May 25 under the formula of the rotation of CM post to the BJP for first 28 months.
Meanwhile, the Congress is learnt to be working on the strategy to engage the JMM in negotiation. But then the Congress has no convincing roadmap to the JMM to form an alternative Government and the party is not sure whether its key ally JVM having 11 MLAs will be the part of a deal. But the RJD with five MLAs is ready to join Congress’ effort to form Government to kick out the BJP.
Sources in the Congress said that Central Congress leadership is not keen to form Government with the help of the JMM. And on an occasion, party sources said, it lambasted State leadership for showing unnecessary enthusiasm to form Government.
“But then, we can mar the prospect of the Government formation. We have not been stopped from doing so. Initial results are encouraging,” a senior Congress leader said. Ranchi once again became the centre stage of the State politics after staying in Bokaro for a couple of days.
Soren returned to Ranchi on Sunday night. A couple of JMM MLAs, including Teklal Mahato, Simon Marandi and Lobin Hembrom, who reportedly shifted their base to New Delhi searching the prospect of a new Government with UPA are expected to return on Monday/Tuesday night.
BJP to withdraw support to Govt today
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | | Monday, May 24, 2010
The ongoing political crisis in Jharkhand seems to have made certain the divorce between the BJP and the JMM. State BJP sources told The Pioneer that former BJP national president, Rajnath Singh, on behalf of the national leadership of the party, conveyed to BJP's chief ministerial candidate Arjun Munda and Jharkhand BJP president Raghuwar Das to withdraw support to the JMM-led coalition Government.
The State BJP would withdraw support to the Soren Government on Monday, said State BJP spokesman Sanjay Seth. A BJP delegation led by Jharkhand Deputy Chief Minister Raghuwar Das will meet Governor MOH Farooq on Monday morning to hand over the letter of withdrawal of support to the JMM Government, the source said.
Earlier in the day the BJP had said that it would wait till May 25 to take a final decision on the support issue to the Coalition Government headed by Shibu Soren.
“I do not want to give an untimely reaction to current political crisis in Jharkhand. Let us wait till May 25 when Soren has to resign. BJP parliamentary body will settle the matter for all,” BJP national vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told The Pioneer over telephone from New Delhi.
Looking for an honourable exit point from the 'theatre of absurd' — as Murli Manohar Joshi told about the political impasse between the BJP and the JMM — sources in the BJP suggested that the party had no more options left except withdrawal of support if Soren refuses to step down to honour the deal.
“BJP is a national party and it must behave accordingly…as per agreement with the JMM Soren has to relinquish CM post by May 25. We should wait till this time,” Naqvi said in the afternoon.
The BJP has been watching the move of the Congress that has just entered into the scene. Sources in the BJP claimed that a few of the JMM MLAs are still in the favour of the BJP-led Government. “What they speak publicly against a BJP-led Government but there are a few JMM MLAs who are in our support,” a senior office bearer of the BJP said.
Senior BJP leader Saryu Rai, who opposed any alliance with the JMM right from the first day, termed the very division in the JMM quite natural.
“Two years back during the Rajya Sabha election, there was a vertical split in the JMM when the party MLAs got divided on the name of supporting the BJP and the Congress. Two years later the JMM has been facing the same situation. That time a big corporate honcho was involved in wheeling-dealing…today people of same feather are fomenting trouble in the JMM,” Rai said this at a Press conference.
He reminded the past statement of JMM MLA Hemlal Murmu, who publicly accepted that Soren as per agreement has to resign by May 25 under the formula of the rotation of CM post to the BJP for first 28 months.
Meanwhile, the Congress is learnt to be working on the strategy to engage the JMM in negotiation. But then the Congress has no convincing roadmap to the JMM to form an alternative Government and the party is not sure whether its key ally JVM having 11 MLAs will be the part of a deal. But the RJD with five MLAs is ready to join Congress' effort to form Government to kick out the BJP.
Sources in the Congress said that Central Congress leadership is not keen to form Government with the help of the JMM. And on an occasion, party sources said, it lambasted State leadership for showing unnecessary enthusiasm to form Government.
“But then, we can mar the prospect of the Government formation. We have not been stopped from doing so. Initial results are encouraging,” a senior Congress leader said. Ranchi once again became the centre stage of the State politics after staying in Bokaro for a couple of days.
Soren returned to Ranchi on Sunday night. A couple of JMM MLAs, including Teklal Mahato, Simon Marandi and Lobin Hembrom, who reportedly shifted their base to New Delhi searching the prospect of a new Government with UPA are expected to return on Monday/Tuesday night.
FRONT PAGE, NATION
BJP pulls plug; Soren to prove majority in a week
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The BJP, after 27 days of vacillation, finally withdrew support to the coalition Government headed by Chief Minister Shibu Soren in Jharkhand on Monday.
The Soren Government was reduced to minority after a delegation of the party leaders headed by party national general secretary Arjun Munda along with deputy Chief Minister and state BJP president Raghuwar Das handed over the letter of the withdrawal of support to Governor MOH Farook.
Farook summoned Soren on Monday evening and held a closed-door meeting for half an hour. No details have emerged about the discussions inside, but the central agenda was not a matter of too much speculation — Soren was asked to prove his majority on the floor of the House.
On May 18, Soren had refused to resign to pass on the CM’s post to the BJP under rotational formula agreed upon during the joint meeting of JMM-BJP-AJSU-JD (U).
“We sought time to prove our majority and we were given one week…the Government needs to prove majority before or by May 31.
We have a magic number behind,” JMM general secretary and Soren’s MLA son Hemant Soren told the media at the Governor House.
But Hemant doggedly refused to reveal any details or even how he plans to control the magic number after the coalition Government was reduced to minority following the walk-out of the BJP with 18 MLAs.
Hemant refused to comment whether he received an assurance from the Congress (14 MLAs) and the like-minded other secular forces — RJD (5 MLAs) — for a bailout during the trust motion nor his body language suggested a lightning breakthrough on this count.
The Congress is merely happy over the success of its strategy after it engaged dissidents within the JMM for a couple of weeks airing positive notes and frustrated the BJP to the extent where it finally withdrew support to the Soren Government.
The BJP is cross with the Congress for sponsoring dirty politics in Jharkhand. Both Munda and Das said common things to the media. “As the national party the BJP followed the coalition dharma. But our coalition partner —JMM — continued to fluctuate its stand over transfer of power. But it is a matter of sorrow that the Congress party has been indulged in political destabilisation of Jharkhand the day it was formed,” they said. Sources said that BJP did not want to take any final decision before May 25 when it had set a deadline for Soren to resign. “Party even tolerated the conflicting statement of Soren but did not tolerate Hemant’s pro-UPA note since he played a key role to bring the BJP and JMM closer.
Sources in the Congress said that JMM has been in touch with the party trying to work out a composite formula. But the central Congress has not given any indication for go-ahead.
Apart from the much-talked-about President’s Rule, there are three prospects to form the Government. Congress with 14 MLAs, AJSU (5 MLAs), JMM (18 MLAs) and the support of three other independent MLAs might form the Government. But the Congress might fear the wrath of Babulal Marandi of Jharkhand Vikash Morcha which will hardly like Congress’ love-note towards its arch-rival JMM.
There is yet another possibility for the Congress-JMM-JVM combine to form the Government. But sources in the Congress said that Marandi could be persuaded to join the Government only if he is offered the CM’s post.
“I will not back out if initiatives are taken to form the Government. We have our certain views…and if JMM is so much allergic towards the JVM, it can form the Government with the help of Congress and other splintered groups. JVM will act as the watchdog,” Marandi said. A coalition Government headed by JVM will hardly be accepted by the JMM which still holds the key to the Government formation.
Even after no possibility is left for Soren to contest the election, sources in the Congress listed difficulties in ensconcing JMM at the helm of affairs — the CM’s post.
“An influential section of central leadership of the Congress holds negative views about Soren and JMM for his anti-Green Hunt approach…agar Soren ko CM banana hota toh election ke baad bhi Congress ye kar sakti thi,” a senior Congress leader said.
The grammar on the JMM side is suffused with positives; the BJP is using muted, often pessimistic, adjectives for eating a humble pie.
BJP pulls plug; Soren to prove majority in a week
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The BJP, after 27 days of vacillation, finally withdrew support to the coalition Government headed by Chief Minister Shibu Soren in Jharkhand on Monday.
The Soren Government was reduced to minority after a delegation of the party leaders headed by party national general secretary Arjun Munda along with deputy Chief Minister and state BJP president Raghuwar Das handed over the letter of the withdrawal of support to Governor MOH Farook.
Farook summoned Soren on Monday evening and held a closed-door meeting for half an hour. No details have emerged about the discussions inside, but the central agenda was not a matter of too much speculation — Soren was asked to prove his majority on the floor of the House.
On May 18, Soren had refused to resign to pass on the CM’s post to the BJP under rotational formula agreed upon during the joint meeting of JMM-BJP-AJSU-JD (U).
“We sought time to prove our majority and we were given one week…the Government needs to prove majority before or by May 31.
We have a magic number behind,” JMM general secretary and Soren’s MLA son Hemant Soren told the media at the Governor House.
But Hemant doggedly refused to reveal any details or even how he plans to control the magic number after the coalition Government was reduced to minority following the walk-out of the BJP with 18 MLAs.
Hemant refused to comment whether he received an assurance from the Congress (14 MLAs) and the like-minded other secular forces — RJD (5 MLAs) — for a bailout during the trust motion nor his body language suggested a lightning breakthrough on this count.
The Congress is merely happy over the success of its strategy after it engaged dissidents within the JMM for a couple of weeks airing positive notes and frustrated the BJP to the extent where it finally withdrew support to the Soren Government.
The BJP is cross with the Congress for sponsoring dirty politics in Jharkhand. Both Munda and Das said common things to the media. “As the national party the BJP followed the coalition dharma. But our coalition partner —JMM — continued to fluctuate its stand over transfer of power. But it is a matter of sorrow that the Congress party has been indulged in political destabilisation of Jharkhand the day it was formed,” they said. Sources said that BJP did not want to take any final decision before May 25 when it had set a deadline for Soren to resign. “Party even tolerated the conflicting statement of Soren but did not tolerate Hemant’s pro-UPA note since he played a key role to bring the BJP and JMM closer.
Sources in the Congress said that JMM has been in touch with the party trying to work out a composite formula. But the central Congress has not given any indication for go-ahead.
Apart from the much-talked-about President’s Rule, there are three prospects to form the Government. Congress with 14 MLAs, AJSU (5 MLAs), JMM (18 MLAs) and the support of three other independent MLAs might form the Government. But the Congress might fear the wrath of Babulal Marandi of Jharkhand Vikash Morcha which will hardly like Congress’ love-note towards its arch-rival JMM.
There is yet another possibility for the Congress-JMM-JVM combine to form the Government. But sources in the Congress said that Marandi could be persuaded to join the Government only if he is offered the CM’s post.
“I will not back out if initiatives are taken to form the Government. We have our certain views…and if JMM is so much allergic towards the JVM, it can form the Government with the help of Congress and other splintered groups. JVM will act as the watchdog,” Marandi said. A coalition Government headed by JVM will hardly be accepted by the JMM which still holds the key to the Government formation.
Even after no possibility is left for Soren to contest the election, sources in the Congress listed difficulties in ensconcing JMM at the helm of affairs — the CM’s post.
“An influential section of central leadership of the Congress holds negative views about Soren and JMM for his anti-Green Hunt approach…agar Soren ko CM banana hota toh election ke baad bhi Congress ye kar sakti thi,” a senior Congress leader said.
The grammar on the JMM side is suffused with positives; the BJP is using muted, often pessimistic, adjectives for eating a humble pie.
BJP withdraws support
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The BJP after 27 days of vacillation finally withdrew support to the coalition Government headed by Chief Minister Shibu Soren in Jharkhand on Monday.
The Soren Government was reduced to minority after a delegation of the party leaders headed by party national general secretary Arjun Munda along with deputy Chief Minister and state BJP president Raghuwar Das handed over the letter of the withdrawal of support to Governor MOH Farook.
Farook summoned Soren on Monday evening and held a closed-door meeting for half an hour. No details have emerged about the discussions inside, but the central agenda was not a matter of too much speculation — Soren was asked to prove his majority on the floor of the House.
On May 18, Soren had refused to resign to pass on the CM’s post to the BJP under rotational formula agreed upon during the joint meeting of JMM-BJP-AJSU-JD (U).
“We sought time to prove our majority and we were given one week…the Government needs to prove majority before or by May 31.
We have a magic number behind,” JMM general secretary and Soren’s MLA son Hemant Soren told the media at the Governor House.
But Hemant doggedly refused to reveal any details or even how he plans to control the magic number after the coalition Government was reduced to minority following the walk-out of the BJP with 18 MLAs.
Hemant refused to comment whether he received an assurance from the Congress (14 MLAs) and the like-minded other secular forces — RJD (5 MLAs) — for a bailout during the trust motion nor his body language suggested a lightning breakthrough on this count.
The Congress is merely happy over the success of its strategy after it engaged dissidents within the JMM for a couple of weeks airing positive notes and frustrated the BJP to the extent where it finally withdrew support to the Soren Government.
The BJP is cross with the Congress for sponsoring dirty politics in Jharkhand. Both Munda and Das said common things to the media. “As the national party the BJP followed the coalition dharma. But our coalition partner —JMM — continued to fluctuate its stand over transfer of power. But it is a matter of sorrow that the Congress party has been indulged in political destabilisation of Jharkhand the day it was formed,” they said. Sources said that BJP did not want to take any final decision before May 25 when it had set a deadline for Soren to resign. “Party even tolerated the conflicting statement of Soren but did not tolerate Hemant’s pro-UPA note since he played a key role to bring the BJP and JMM closer.
Sources in the Congress said that JMM has been in touch with the party trying to work out a composite formula. But the central Congress has not given any indication for go-ahead.
Apart from the much-talked-about President’s Rule, there are three prospects to form the Government. Congress with 14 MLAs, AJSU (5 MLAs), JMM (18 MLAs) and the support of three other independent MLAs might form the Government. But the Congress might fear the wrath of Babulal Marandi of Jharkhand Vikash Morcha which will hardly like Congress’ love-note towards its arch-rival JMM.
There is yet another possibility for the Congress-JMM-JVM combine to form the Government. But sources in the Congress said that Marandi could be persuaded to join the Government only if he is offered the CM’s post.
“I will not back out if initiatives are taken to form the Government. We have our certain views…and if JMM is so much allergic towards the JVM, it can form the Government with the help of Congress and other splintered groups. JVM will act as the watchdog,” Marandi said. A coalition Government headed by JVM will hardly be accepted by the JMM which still holds the key to the Government formation.
Even after no possibility is left for Soren to contest the election, sources in the Congress listed difficulties in ensconcing JMM at the helm of affairs — the CM’s post.
“An influential section of central leadership of the Congress holds negative views about Soren and JMM for his anti-Green Hunt approach…agar Soren ko CM banana hota toh election ke baad bhi Congress ye kar sakti thi,” a senior Congress leader said.
The grammar on the JMM side is suffused with positives; the BJP is using muted, often pessimistic, adjectives for eating a humble pie.
NATION
Parties run for elusive power
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi|Thursday, May 27, 2010
Hurt with the latest brush of shaky politics in Jharkhand, central BJP leadership is in no mood to rub shoulders with the JMM, nevertheless, a section of party led by Arjun Munda still hopes a rapprochement. “BJP is not going to change its mind…JMM has no political accountability,” State BJP incharge Karuna Shukla said.
Earlier at a Press conference on Wednesday, State BJP president Raghuwar Das announced that the BJP would vote against the Shibu Soren Government during the floor testing in the Assembly. Das, who had resigned from the post of Deputy Chief Minister, along with three other ministers, in the Soren Governmentm addressed the media after the meeting of party legislative body.
Field is now open for the Congress to explore the possibility to form the Government with the help of its ally Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM). But the JVM added another twist, advocating a JVM-Congress Government refusing to give JMM a major say in the alliance Government with either CM or deputy CM post. “JMM can be the part of the Government. It will have the privy to support the Government from the outside but a JMM-led Government is not acceptable to us,” a senior JVM leader said.
It is doubtful whether JMM chief Shibu Soren will agree to such terms and conditions. The Congress might convince JVM chief Babulal Marandi to concede a respectable home space for the JMM in the Government.
Sensing ahead Congress’ probable argument, Marandi has just come in bargaining mode and will be ready to suspend his anti-JMM plank temporarily. On Wednesday, the party asked the Congress to support the JVM for one out of two seats of the Rajya Sabha. The election to these will be held in the mid of June.
Though the JVM announced to oppose the Government during the trust vote but Congress sources suggested: “Burden will now be on the Congress to rewrite the script of the Government formation. The JMM and the Congress having won one seat each in the Rajya Sabha that means the JMM will have to relinquish its claim over the seat to keep JVM satisfied.”
That means also the crisis will continue beyond June 17 when the elections of two seats is expected to be held. At a time when no party --- Congress (14 MLAs), JMM (18MLAs), BJP (18MLAs) and JVM (11MLAs) are in the position to win even a single seat with joining hands with others, the BJP is caught deeper in the mess after it withdrew support from the Soren Government.
Soren’s crisis is immediate as he requires to prove majority by May 31. And so is the case with the Congress since the party has not been able to fix its next move whether to bail out Soren during trust motion or to dump it.
“The Congress has less time for a deal agreeable to both the JMM and the JVM. Problem is that Soren has not shown his cards. There is double jeopardy if the Congress supports the JMM and our alliance partner JVM opposes it on the floor. The Congress will suffer loss of credibility heavier than what BJP suffered in this episode. You can’t trust anybody in State politics which is many steps ahead in Machiavellian politics,” a senior state Congress leader said.
Meanwhile, AICC Jharkhand incharge K Keshav Rao, party state president Pradeep Balmuchu and CLP leader Rajinder Singh will meet party national president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss combinations and possibilities of the Government formation.
JMM legislative body meeting was called on in Ranchi which continued till late Wednesday night. Tomorrow will be another day of political permutation and combination.
JMM meet cancelled
JMM legislative body meeting which was scheduled for Wednesday evening was cancelled as some party MLAs could not come for the meet. Meanwhile, JMM leaders Hemant Soren and Haji Hussain Ansari had to postpone their visit to Delhi as the helicopter they had to travel in developed some technical snag on Wednesday evening.
Parties run for elusive power
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi|Thursday, May 27, 2010
Hurt with the latest brush of shaky politics in Jharkhand, central BJP leadership is in no mood to rub shoulders with the JMM, nevertheless, a section of party led by Arjun Munda still hopes a rapprochement. “BJP is not going to change its mind…JMM has no political accountability,” State BJP incharge Karuna Shukla said.
Earlier at a Press conference on Wednesday, State BJP president Raghuwar Das announced that the BJP would vote against the Shibu Soren Government during the floor testing in the Assembly. Das, who had resigned from the post of Deputy Chief Minister, along with three other ministers, in the Soren Governmentm addressed the media after the meeting of party legislative body.
Field is now open for the Congress to explore the possibility to form the Government with the help of its ally Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM). But the JVM added another twist, advocating a JVM-Congress Government refusing to give JMM a major say in the alliance Government with either CM or deputy CM post. “JMM can be the part of the Government. It will have the privy to support the Government from the outside but a JMM-led Government is not acceptable to us,” a senior JVM leader said.
It is doubtful whether JMM chief Shibu Soren will agree to such terms and conditions. The Congress might convince JVM chief Babulal Marandi to concede a respectable home space for the JMM in the Government.
Sensing ahead Congress’ probable argument, Marandi has just come in bargaining mode and will be ready to suspend his anti-JMM plank temporarily. On Wednesday, the party asked the Congress to support the JVM for one out of two seats of the Rajya Sabha. The election to these will be held in the mid of June.
Though the JVM announced to oppose the Government during the trust vote but Congress sources suggested: “Burden will now be on the Congress to rewrite the script of the Government formation. The JMM and the Congress having won one seat each in the Rajya Sabha that means the JMM will have to relinquish its claim over the seat to keep JVM satisfied.”
That means also the crisis will continue beyond June 17 when the elections of two seats is expected to be held. At a time when no party --- Congress (14 MLAs), JMM (18MLAs), BJP (18MLAs) and JVM (11MLAs) are in the position to win even a single seat with joining hands with others, the BJP is caught deeper in the mess after it withdrew support from the Soren Government.
Soren’s crisis is immediate as he requires to prove majority by May 31. And so is the case with the Congress since the party has not been able to fix its next move whether to bail out Soren during trust motion or to dump it.
“The Congress has less time for a deal agreeable to both the JMM and the JVM. Problem is that Soren has not shown his cards. There is double jeopardy if the Congress supports the JMM and our alliance partner JVM opposes it on the floor. The Congress will suffer loss of credibility heavier than what BJP suffered in this episode. You can’t trust anybody in State politics which is many steps ahead in Machiavellian politics,” a senior state Congress leader said.
Meanwhile, AICC Jharkhand incharge K Keshav Rao, party state president Pradeep Balmuchu and CLP leader Rajinder Singh will meet party national president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss combinations and possibilities of the Government formation.
JMM legislative body meeting was called on in Ranchi which continued till late Wednesday night. Tomorrow will be another day of political permutation and combination.
JMM meet cancelled
JMM legislative body meeting which was scheduled for Wednesday evening was cancelled as some party MLAs could not come for the meet. Meanwhile, JMM leaders Hemant Soren and Haji Hussain Ansari had to postpone their visit to Delhi as the helicopter they had to travel in developed some technical snag on Wednesday evening.
Trust vote: Special session on May 31
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Friday, May 28, 2010
Chief Minister Shibu Soren held a special meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday and decided to seek trust vote on May 31. Briefing the media, Cabinet Secretary Aditya Swaroop said that the Cabinet requested Governor MOH Farook to convene the special session of the Assembly at Sri Krishna Institute of Public Administration (SKIPA).
The State Government opted SKIPA to hold the session since as the building of State Assembly is under renovation. Meanwhile, Congress president Sonia Gandhi summoned senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandis, AICC incharge K Keshav Rao, State Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu, CLP leader Rajinder Singh and a few others on Thursday in New Delhi to know about political impasse in Jharkhand. “Party will prefer ‘wait and watch’ till May 31. We will tell later on,” Congress leader Sailesh Sinha said.
Credible sources in the Congress said that Rao, who is also in-charge of the state Congress, is expected to visit Ranchi Friday to for a backroom negotiation with the JMM and Congress' ally Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) to explore some points of agreements.
"Madam (Sonia)" source said, "largely discussed upcoming elections of two Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand…it is also a critical part other than government formation. Now JVM has sought one seat from the Congress. We are looking for some way," sources in the Congress said.
Sonia Gandhi has an overall view that Congress should initiate Government formation exercise only after the JMM finally announces its divorce with the BJP apart from the fact that JVM must be taken into confidence, a senior party leader said.
Rao maintained Sonia's line during his talk with the media in New Delhi; portraying brighter prospect of the formation of the UPA Government with the help of the JMM. He reaffirmed: "The JVM is an ally of the Congress. We are keen to form a secular Government."
The Congress tactically employed Furkan Ansari to send this message to Soren saying that Soren should resign first and cross-over to the UPA to establish his secular credential for the Government formation. Balmuchu maintained same line stating "unless a government falls, a fresh government can not be formed."
Coming three days will be crucial for the party to gauge the mood of Soren over Government formation and the Rajya Sabha election. It is not that of Hemant whom the Congress accuses even today for hobnobbing with the BJP and Arjun Munda for political realignment. If that is true then Congress might advise Soren to step-down before floor test and sit across the table for fresh negotiation over government formation. Congress planning to grab both the seats of the Rajya Sabha may ask Soren to support Congress-JVM candidates during elections promising enough ministerial berths in the proposed UPA Government.
All it depends upon how JMM reacts over such proposals. Soren's son and leader of the JMM Legislative Body Hemant Soren refused to disclose his plans to save the government. "We command magic number," tapping fingers both the sides - NDA and UPA, Hemant refused to disclose how will he conjure the magic number.
His party colleague and HRD Minister Hemlal Murmu was little bit unambiguous in telling so. "We are serious to form the government…talks are underway. We do not want President's Rule and mid-term election. But, please note without JMM none can form the Government and can even win Rajya Sabha seats."
Among those few who command JMM, Soren is probably last man who either does not know about 'what next' or feigns ignorance as seasoned politician. "Kya bole? Kuch bolne ke liye hai kya? (What to speak? Is there anything left speak?)" Soren muted, scratched his head and left out the CMO after the cabinet meeting.
Cong wary of BJP-JMM ties after fall of Govt
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Saturday, May 29, 2010
They are still honourable ministers in the coalition Government of Chief Minister Shibu Soren; continue to enjoy perks privileges even after they tendered resignations a few days back. Their resignation has not been accepted so far.
BJP’s Raghuwar Das, Barkuwar Gagrai, Nilkanth Singh Munda, Vaidyanath Ram and JD(U) Sudha Chaudhary, constitutionally, are still Ministers despite their parties withdrew support to the Soren Government.
It might have little news value but gives thick political indications that the JMM has still not severed its relation with the BJP. “I will not comment on the political aspects. You are free to draw your conclusion. But their resignations are still pending with the Chief Minister.” a senior official of the CMO told The Pioneer.
Although the BJP and the JD(U) have announced to oppose the Soren Government during the floor test but Ministers’ resignation letters on hold; has made the Congress wary about probable realignment of the JMM and the BJP after or before floor test on May 31.
Working quietly behind uncertain political babble, Congress’ spin doctors are in close door negotiation to stitch numbers behind to stake claim to form next government.
Party can approach Governor MOH Farook to form the Government after the fall of the Shibu Soren Government, claiming the second largest coalition partner-JVM-Congress with 25 MLAs on its side.
Sources in the Congress close to The Pioneer said that the party is mulling to stake claim to form Government to stop any chance of the JMM-BJP realignment after Soren fails to win the trust vote on May 31 or resign before that.
Even after the BJP withdrew its support to the coalition Government led by Chief Minister Shibu Soren, the Congress has not ruled out the possibility of a fresh JMM-BJP realignment.
“They are strange partners without any divorce. They can unite compelled by political circumstances even after BJP opposes Soren during the floor testing. The JMM might offer its support to the BJP to form the Government. But then, we will stake claim to form next Government as second largest alliance partner to frustrate them,” a senior Congress leader said.
Claiming a Government without the JMM was possible, he suggested a rainbow coalition consisting of the JVM (11 MLAs), the Congress (14MLAs) the RJD (5MLAs) the AJSU (5 MLAs) and seven independent MLAs.
“That makes a comfortable majority,” he said and claimed, “JVM chief Babulal Marandi will finally agree to this.”
In the past couple of days AJSU chief and Deputy Chief Minister Sudesh Kumar Mahto grabbed the centre stage of political parley with the BJP and the JMM to bring to bring the BJP-JMM on the same platform to avert the fall of the Government.
AJSU shaking hands with the UPA appears to have a dubious distinction owing to its natural affiliation with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
RANCHI
Kiss media then kick media
Raghu-war at media, scribe hurts
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Gregor Johann Mendel took pain to experiment with pea pods to bring to us the kernel truth about genetics and heredity: Like Begets Like. Three decades of rearing in the BJP, another many years of stay in party’s student wing—ABVP failed to chisel him. He continues to be raw even today as he happened to be during his young days in Chhatra Sangharsh Wahini of Jay Prakash Narayan movement.
State BJP president Raghuwar Das may have just proved himself a keen student of Jharkhand’s rule of political conduct where decency is seldom required despite he heads ‘the party with discipline’ and had been Minister in the previous Governments.
Images rolling on the television screen on Monday afternoon underlined this where Das misbehaved with a news channel scribe outside of the Raj Bhawan. It ended in the hairline fracture of right hand wrist of senior scribe of Sahara news channel Madhukar when he tried to take a bite of Das over the next move of the party following the resignation of Chief Minister Shibu Soren on Sunday late night.
“As he came outside of Raj Bhawan along with state BJP general secretary Ganesh Mishra after his meeting with the Governor in his vehicle. He lowered down the speed of his vehicle. He lowered down his power widow. I requested him to comment over what transpired during the meeting…and inserted my boom mike inside. He bluntly refused to speak and rolled-on power window; speeded-up the vehicle without allowing me to drag my hand out,” Madhukar said after the incident.
Das was particularly annoyed with some of the reports of the scribe about resentment among BJP MLAs against Das and his probable role in persuading central BJP not to form government with the JMM after Arjun Munda defeated him in the race for CM post.
Das’ act did not surprise many who have been covering BJP and him from the last many years. An errant tongue Das stings his opponents and has created an aura of firebrand around him sans sophistication. It is not the first and last case of verbal spat of Das with the media.
“Two years back in Jamshedpur he threatened a local scribe to chop the fingers pointed at him. As one’s inherent quality and demerit grows with age. It has reached to an alarming point in case of Das,” a senior BJP leader of Jamshedpur said.
“I do not know what is going wrong with this man now a day?” his one time patron Amrendra Pratap Singh expressed surprise, “he was a good and disciplined man.”
After becoming deputy chief minister Das stopped to speak to the media even on telephone and on some occasions invoked earthy adjectives Das faced the protest of the media at party headquarter on Monday evening over his act. Media refused to enter into BJP office to cover official briefing until he seeks unconditional apology.
Raghuwar Das remained unrepentant over patent wrongdoing and refused to accept it a mistake, initially. Half an hour later he admitted half tone, “I am really sorry I regret. But some times media unnecessarily haunt us for comment. Madhukar was doing the same. But I did not do it intentionally.
Das’ close aide and his inexperienced PA had already passed the verdict this afternoon. “This is a drama.”
Kiss media then kick media
Raghu-war at media, scribe hurts
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Gregor Johann Mendel took pain to experiment with pea pods to bring to us the kernel truth about genetics and heredity: Like Begets Like. Three decades of rearing in the BJP, another many years of stay in party’s student wing—ABVP failed to chisel him. He continues to be raw even today as he happened to be during his young days in Chhatra Sangharsh Wahini of Jay Prakash Narayan movement.
State BJP president Raghuwar Das may have just proved himself a keen student of Jharkhand’s rule of political conduct where decency is seldom required despite he heads ‘the party with discipline’ and had been Minister in the previous Governments.
Images rolling on the television screen on Monday afternoon underlined this where Das misbehaved with a news channel scribe outside of the Raj Bhawan. It ended in the hairline fracture of right hand wrist of senior scribe of Sahara news channel Madhukar when he tried to take a bite of Das over the next move of the party following the resignation of Chief Minister Shibu Soren on Sunday late night.
“As he came outside of Raj Bhawan along with state BJP general secretary Ganesh Mishra after his meeting with the Governor in his vehicle. He lowered down the speed of his vehicle. He lowered down his power widow. I requested him to comment over what transpired during the meeting…and inserted my boom mike inside. He bluntly refused to speak and rolled-on power window; speeded-up the vehicle without allowing me to drag my hand out,” Madhukar said after the incident.
Das was particularly annoyed with some of the reports of the scribe about resentment among BJP MLAs against Das and his probable role in persuading central BJP not to form government with the JMM after Arjun Munda defeated him in the race for CM post.
Das’ act did not surprise many who have been covering BJP and him from the last many years. An errant tongue Das stings his opponents and has created an aura of firebrand around him sans sophistication. It is not the first and last case of verbal spat of Das with the media.
“Two years back in Jamshedpur he threatened a local scribe to chop the fingers pointed at him. As one’s inherent quality and demerit grows with age. It has reached to an alarming point in case of Das,” a senior BJP leader of Jamshedpur said.
“I do not know what is going wrong with this man now a day?” his one time patron Amrendra Pratap Singh expressed surprise, “he was a good and disciplined man.”
After becoming deputy chief minister Das stopped to speak to the media even on telephone and on some occasions invoked earthy adjectives Das faced the protest of the media at party headquarter on Monday evening over his act. Media refused to enter into BJP office to cover official briefing until he seeks unconditional apology.
Raghuwar Das remained unrepentant over patent wrongdoing and refused to accept it a mistake, initially. Half an hour later he admitted half tone, “I am really sorry I regret. But some times media unnecessarily haunt us for comment. Madhukar was doing the same. But I did not do it intentionally.
Das’ close aide and his inexperienced PA had already passed the verdict this afternoon. “This is a drama.”
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