Rahul's visit postponed, State Cong leaders struggle to convince workers

Vijay Deo Jha RANCHI Tuesday, April 22, 2008

RanchiThe last time change made in the scheduled Jharkhand visit of Rahul Gandhi, the general secretary of the Congress, has put the State leaders in jittery. It has left the Congress leaders to come out with suitable plea to convince the party workers.The office of the Congress at Sradhanand Marg bore a deserted look and the senior party leaders, including its spokesperson, were seen discussing the matter. A senior party leader said that the State leaders made last time attempt to convince the central leadership not to drop the programme.From the last fortnight the State leaders were working round the hour to make this programme a success. Now, Gandhi will visit Jharkhand and Bihar next month, said the party sources.While confirming the report, the sources in the New Delhi said that instead Jharkhand, Rahul would be visiting Andhra Pradesh and Chhatisgadh. Gandhi has been touring the country under the discovery of India programme to know the country and its people which his adversaries termed an uncouth mimic of Mahatma Gandhi.According to the plan Rahul had to arrive in Jharkhand on April 23 where he was slated to visit Chaiwasa, Gumla and Khuti. Although the State president of Congress, Pradeep Balmucchu, said the visit programme existed separately and it had nothing to do with the party and organisation. But it is learnt that Rahul had to take stock of the party in the state.Explaining the reason behind the last time change in the programme Alok Kumar Dubey, spokes person, state Congress agreed that it has dampened the spirit of the party workers but it does not mean that the Rahul has no interest in Jharkhand. While indicating the visit of the Prime Minister to the state on April 22 as a possible reason behind the last minute change in the programme of Rahul, he said that there should have been a gap of one month in the visit of the two top party leaders.The visit of PM would indeed enliven the party workers. The effect would maximise when Rahul would visit the state next month. It might have send a wrong signal if the two top leaders visit the state in connection to two different programmes, said a top leader of the party.The highly placed sources gave a different version of the story and said that the State Congress announced the date of the arrival of Rahul on assumption without consulting the central leadership. As per the official version of the party, the party would have to wait for another month for the visit of Rahul who would come after a gap of eight years.

BJP gears up to oppose PM's visit

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Monday, April 21, 2008

The State BJP will oppose Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit. They have decided to protest the visit on two issues: Central Mining Policy and the unbridled price rise. Leader to Opposition and senior BJP leader Arjun Munda announced the opposition of the PM's visit.The PM is scheduled to visit Jharkhand on April 22 and will visit Bokaro and Jamshedpur in connection to Tata Steel's centenary programme. The BJP high command has asked the State top leaders to protest against the PM's visit at all the three places. The party would chalk out its strategy on April 21.While highlighting the negative aspects of the Mining Policy, Munda said that the Central Government did not consider the genuine demand and suggestions of the Chief Ministers of the States of Jharkhand, MP, Chhattisgarh and Orrisa. The economic and social concerns of these states were pooh-poohed during the formulation of the policy. If the policy were implemented, Jharkhand would not only lose its due share but may turn into a poaching ground of the private companies, he said.At a time when the Government should have pondered over the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation Act) 1957, to suit the federal structure of the country, the Prime Minister was doing reverse, he said.He further said the PM was guided by a distinct and alien vision, which was anti federal as well as anti-Jharkhand. He wanted to know the reason that stopped the Union Government from implementing Ad Valorem in mining policy as well as in the State despite recommendations made in this regard by the Planning Commission of India.Munda cornered the Prime Minister on his failure to arrest price hike and feared that the State might turn into another Vidharbha. While lampooning the PM for his Manmohnic-omics, he said the price index of the last one-month was a sufficient reminder of the fact that the UPA Government failed to provide an effective administration.

Rebels in BJP bring political bete noire of party close

Vijay Deo JhaRANCHI Tuesday, April 8, 2008

The BJP rebels headed by Raghubar Das, former State BJP president, might have failed to dislodge Arjun Munda and Pasupati Nath Singh, but it surprisingly ended the cold war between the two political bete noires, Munda and the senior party leader and former Foreign Minister, Yashwant Sinha. It is learnt that Sinha had played a crucial role in diffusing the tension and saved the day for Munda. Although, Munda declined to say that the party was in the crisis due to the said move of the rebels. He hinted that personal grievances should not be aired at public forums. Talking about this new formed relationship, Munda said that he was ready to join hands with any body for the interest of the party. Yet, he said diplomatically that they have decided to forge a reciprocal relationship to strengthen the party in the State. The indication of this bonhomie came when both the leaders were seen together during the felicitation of some 10 newly elected councillors of the Ranchi Municipal Corporation. Interestingly, both Munda and Sinha were not seen together in any public forum from the last many months. If the sources are to be believed, Munda promised to take care of the interest of Sinha in the State politics during a luncheon. While commenting upon this a senior party leader said that in view of the coming elections, Sinha did not want to antagonise Munda and PN Singh since their removal from the party post was not possible. But his support to Munda was not without a political price. However, within the State BJP, it is being interpreted as a win win situation for Munda in making Sinha to realise his political importance in the State politics. But, how long this situation prevails is yet to be assessed. For the time being both the camps find no problem in keeping each other in good humour. The Munda camp was suspicious of the sudden interest of Sinha in the politics of the State which was seen by the Munda camp as a move to project Sinha for the post of the next Chief Minister of the State. But their known differences came to fore during the padyatra before Simaria by-election where Sinha advocated the need of a non-tribal Chief Minister for the State. Quickly reacting to it, the BJP stalwart Kailashpati Mishra denied this possibility. The statement of Sinha was held responsible for the poor performance of party in the election.

Party breather for PN Singh, Munda

Party breather for PN Singh, Munda
Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Monday, April 7, 2008

A plot by 14 rebel BJP legislators in Jharkhand to remove PN Singh from the post of State party president and Arjun Munda as leader of the Opposition appears to have been scuttled. The MLAs led by Raghubar Das, former State president and MLA (Jamshedpur East), met national BJP president Rajnath Singh and senior leader LK Advani in New Delhi. The MLAs apprised them how dedicated party workers were being ignored by the Arjun Munda-PN Singh combine. The rebel legislators comprised Raghubar Das, Chhatruram Mahto, Yogeswar Mahto, Ramchandra Baitha, Loknath Mahto, Putkar Hembram, Nilkanth Singh Munda, Koche Munda, Sameer Oraon, Chandresh Oraon and Ashok Bhagat.This has given reprieve to Munda camp, though both Munda and Singh did not reveal much about the controversy. Highly placed sources, however, said that the Munda camp had prior information about the move by these MLAs. Relying on its own sources, the BJP was not ready to believe the report of State intelligence which said these MLAs were staying at the Tata guesthouse from where they were expected to move to Delhi via Dhanbad. The Munda camp managed to meet senior party leaders, including Advani and Venkaiah Naidu, before the rebels could meet them at a meeting that lasted for 50 minutes. Although, what transpired in the meeting is still not clear, but it is learnt that Advani was apprised of Das' role in fomenting factionalism within the party.The rebel camp did not propose the name of any person for the post of State president. But the names of Ashok Bhagat for the party president and Das as the leader of the Opposition were being mentioned.Munda, who is still camping in Delhi, said that such removal could take place only if it was demanded by district unit presidents.

BJP protests Niel Tirkey appointment as convenor

BJP protests Niel Tirkey appointment as convenor

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Saturday, April 5, 2008

The newly formed five-member committee to ascertain who actually constitute the tribal groups in the State in the wake of the decision of the Supreme Court is running under bad weather. The formation of the committee is being questioned both on the constitutional as well as the political ground. While on the one hand, some of the MLAs feel that the State Government have no locus standi to form any such committee, only Parliament and the President have the right to form committee to ascertain who actually belong to the tribal group. On the other hand, the BJP has raised opposition on the appointment of Niel Tirkey as the convenor of the committee owing to his known protest to form any such committee that could damage the interest of the tribals converted to Christianity (TCC). Hence, the tussle between the Sarna tribes and the tribals converted to Christianity has started taking a political colour. There are nearly 10 BJP MLAs belonging to Sarna tribes. They have accused the Government, including Jharkhand Assembly speaker Alamgir Alam, for BJP fears that the said committee would be biased in the favour of him, since it was headed by Tirkey who was opposed to formation of any such committee that could harm the interest of TCC group in the State. BJP MLA Karia Munda said instead appointing Tirkey, the Government should have appointed a non-tribal to head the committee. A fair deal cannot be expected in a case if a person of known mindset heads the committee and this issue would not die out unless the corrections were made in the decision.The present committee constitutes each of two MLAs from Sarna tribe and converted Christian - Tirkey and Susila Hansda (JMM) belong to converted groups and Chandresh Oraon (BJP), and Ramesh Singh Munda (JDU) represent Sarna tribes. Ramchandra Chandrabansi of the RJD is the only lone non-tribal member of the group. While justifying his decision to appoint Tirkey to head the committee, Alam said that he maintained proper balance in forming the committee and he acted in an impartial manner in deciding the name. What else I could do if the MLAs do not allow the house to run smoothly, he said. However, he accepted that appointing a neutral person as the convenor of the committee could be a good idea. But I would ensure that the committee works with fair mind, he said. The committee would submit a report whether TCC indeed left their tradition, mode of worship and other rituals and do they fall within the purview of the decision of the SC that debar any tribal from availing the privileges meant for tribals.

State BJP shows its chink again, MLAs rush to Delhi

State BJP shows its chink again, MLAs rush to Delhi

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi

The internal bickering in Jharkhand BJP does not seem to die down. The fire lit by former State president and Jamshedpur East MLA Raghuvar Das on March 31 (by assuring to support the Ranchi bandh) was not extinguished properly, and now he has kicked off a new storm. It is learnt that nearly 10 MLAs are presently camping at Jamshedpur and would go to New Delhi with Raghuvar Das on Saturday. The fresh demand of Das along with 10 other MLAs before BJP high command Raj Nath Singh and LK Advani would be to remove State president Pasupati Nath Singh from the post of the State BJP president. Highly placed sources confirmed Das is backed up by the some of the top disgruntled leaders of the party. Meanwhile, two of the party MLAs named Ramchandra Baitha, MLA from Kanke and Kedar Hazra MLA from Jamua, have already confirmed that they were camping in New Delhi. The odd 11 of the BJP includes Raghubar Das, Chatruram Mahto, Yogeswar Mahto, Ramchandra Baitha, Loknath Mahto, Putkar Hembram, Nilkanth Singh Munda, Koche Munda, Sameer Oraon and Chandres Oraon.However, party spokesperson Viranchi Naraya cited another reason behind "rushing of the MLAs" and said they have gone to Delhi to participate in a party programme to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first freedom struggle of India that took place in 1857. Meanwhile, the party sources confirmed about the ongoing confrontation between the Das and the Arjun Munda camp, which had been visible since last year. The sources indicated that Raghubar Das wanted to be the state president of the party, which would weaken the control of Munda from party since PN Singh is stated to be close to Munda camp. The Munda camp is also closely monitoring the entire issue and waiting for the next move of these MLAs.

BJP felicitates RMC ward councillors

Vijay Deo Jha Thursday, April 3, 2008

Realising the importance of newly elected RMC councillors, the State BJP tried for a political baptism of 15 of them by felicitating them by two of its prominent leaders, including its national vice-president, Yaswant Sinha and Arjun Munda. However, only 11 councillors could turn up for being felicitated. It also seems that the party leaders are trying to correct two political mistakes made during the RMC election - one by not supporting anyone in the election and another by extending support to the Ranchi bandh in support of the defeated candidates. At least, on the issue of Ranchi bandh, the party had a tough time to explain to the people. It was already exposed how an individual leader of the party announced the party supporting the strike which was far from the reality. That's why the party hurriedly decided to felicitate some 15 newly elected councillors who are close to the party ideology. Out of 15 there are at least four such councillors including Sanjeev Vijayvarjee, Sunil Yadav, Sunita Devi and Veena Devi who are the office-bearers of the party as claimed by Gama Singh, the district president of the party. But, Singh denies calling it a face saving exercise and maintains the party had already decided to felicitate them just after the announcement of the result. However, some of the state leaders were apparently clueless about this programme including Arjun Munda who got this information through media sources. The senior party functionaries including the State president PN Singh were absent from the felicitation function due to their pre engagement, as said by PN singh.But the issue of 'no support in RMC election' and some of the party leaders taking unilateral decision to support Ranchi bandh have not died down yet. The central leadership had asked the State leaders to find the possibility of fighting the RMC election on the party line which was agreed by the State BJP. But on finding the directives of the Government not to allow this election on the party line the State BJP decided to extend backdoor support to any of its candidates which could not materialise. However, Viranchi Narayan, the party spokesperson denied that the party was any more defensive about it, but, the sources say that in the next week the party would discuss all these issue. But, at present, the party sees the RMC election as a great achievement.

Four candidates in fray for Rajya Sabha election in State

Four candidates in fray for Rajya Sabha election in State

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi RANCHI Sunday, March 16, 2008 The Pioneer

The inevitable seems to have happened in the nominations for the Rajya Sabha biennial poll in Jharkhand. Money is learnt to have played its own role in it. Little known but affluent politicians from outside filing their nominations for the same lend ample testimony to such speculations.However, confusion remained worse confounded in the UPA camp here on the last date of filing of nomination by two more candidates claiming themselves to have the support of the UPA legislators. The Supreme Court lawyer and the former Congress Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand RK Anand and and a former Janta Party MP from Delhi, Kishor Lal filed their nominations on Saturday reportedly with proposers belonging to UPA in the State.With this the number of candidates for the two seats, for which the biennial poll for the Rajya Sabha would be held on March 26, rose to four. Parimal Nathwani and Jai Prakash Singh filed their nominations on Friday as BJP and Independent candidates. The name of Nathwani is reported to have been proposed by eleven MLAs belonging to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and one to BJP.The UPA camp ,therefore, found itself in a sticky situation as all the three candidates , RK .Anand, Kishor Lal and Parimal Nathwani had the names of the MLAs as their proposers on their nomination papers leading to the apprehension that their nominations could be rejected if the names of proposers appear in favour of more than two candidates.What seems to be more perplex is the fact that though Rashtriya Janta Dal, JMM and the Independents belonging to the UPA camp here have made their choices known ,the Congress is still keeping fingers crossed as it has neither come out in favour of any of the abovementioned candidates nor has it revealed its future strategy in this connection. The last minute cancellation of the visit of the Union Minister of State for Urban Development and the AICC incharge of Jharkhand, Ajay Maken, on Saturday is attributed to this very fact .According to reports while Anand's nominations papers had the signature of seven RJD and three JMM MLAs as well as those of one Minister ,Kishor Lal's name has been proposed by JMM MLAs and a Cabinet Minister. Nathwani, who filed his nomination on Saturday, was proposed by 11 JMM and one BJP MLA. As per rules one MLA may propose the names of not more than two candidates since there are two seats for which poll is being held.

UPA MPs to knock PM's door

Vijay Deo Jha/ Vishakha Parashar Thursday, February 28, 2008 The Pioneer

RanchiPeeved at the neglect of Jharkhand by Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad in the last Railway Budget of the UPA Government, the UPA MPs of the State have decided to knock the doors of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. However, political differences among the MPs are stopping them to forge an alliance to jointly raise the issue which will be raised on March 10, when the Parliament would debate the Rail Budget. Besides the UPA MPs are scheduled to meet the Prime Minister after the General Budget is tabled on February 29.Union Minister of State for Food Processing Subodh Kant Sahai, said a delegation of MPs of UPA would meet the Prime Minister apprising him of the long pending demands and sentiments of the people of Jharkhand. Talking to The Pioneer, both Sahai and another Congress MP Chandrasekhar Dubey declined to join hands with NDA to forge an alliance to stand united during the debate. What comes out of the meeting with PM and debate in the Parliament is a matter of speculation, but the whole exercise has exposed the sharp division among the MPs of Jharkhand, even on the issues of common interests. Their political ideology and personal difference have come in the way of uniting them unlike their counterparts from Gujarat and West Bengal, who boycotted the Budget Session for alleged negligence of their respective States. The MPs of Gujarat have also decided to grill Lalu unitedly in the coming days.Even calling Budget 'people-friendly' and 'historic', the MPs of UPA now admit that the State did not get its due share and its long standing demands of long route trains. According to the sources, Hemlal Murmu, Furkan Ansari and Rameswar Oraon held a close door meeting just after the Budget to form a common strategy to raise the issue of negligence of their constituencies in the Rail Budget. JMM MP Hemlal Murmu, who termed the Budget as a case of classic negligence of Jharkhand and a 'home' budget of Bihar, has already announced to speak his mind during the debate. He is expected to raise the issue of freight corridor between Ranchi-Paradeep via Tatanagar.Yet, the said move of the UPA to exclude NDA to form a common has not dampened the spirit of the senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Devdas Apte, who is busy meeting State leaders to argue the case of Jharkhand. The UPA fears that it could provide an extra mileage to the BJP and they see this as a move of the party to snatch leadership and to project itself as the only party that could bring development in the State. Ajay Maru, the Rajya Sabha member, said that the party did not require the support the UPA to seek a fair deal for the State. But, he would welcome if MPs from Jharkhand dare to speak against their own Government. But, Babulal Marandi, has a different view. He termed the meeting with the PM and debating in the Parliament as a face saving exercise. Rather, he prefers to go to the public instead approach Railway Minister and the PM with a begging bowl that brings nothing Alleging Lalu Prasad for his anti-Jharkhand mindset, he said, it was a big irony to ask anything from the UPA leaders for development. Instead he would prefer to go to the people's court.

Jharkhand reminds Lalu of his past promises

Vijay Deo Jha RANCHI Tuesday, February 26, 2008 The Pioneer

People have set a probing eye on the new Rail Budget 2008-09, to be placed on Tuesday before the Parliament by Union Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. People and leaders cutting across party lines are eagerly waiting for what comes out for the State in the new Rail Budget, while wondering when will his last promises be fulfiled.However, the Minister has christened the Rail Budget as a basket of comfort and indicated that 26 new projects could be announced in the Budget. But people here are suspicious whether Jharkhand would be included in this or not. This suspicion is backed by a strong reason as the State got a paltry share in terms of new rail lines, infrastructural development and new trains. People are still waiting for the words of Lalu to come true which he said during the rally of the RJD, assuring a fair deal for Jharkhand in the upcoming Rail Budget.The new Budget would decide the fate of Garib Rath which has not been started so far despite the announcement to this effect a year back. The BJP has been accusing him of playing politics with Jharkhand. Anant Sinha, a trader, said that some three years back the Railways had promised to start a super fast train between Ranchi and Kolkata and the Minister had asked RR Bhandari, the then GM, on May 16, 2005 to start it. But no such train is running despite several reminders.According to the sources, the MPs of Jharkhand would press for the demand to increase the frequency of Rajdhani Express from three to four days making it at par with Patna and would ask for additional super fast express trains from Ranchi to Delhi.Formed some seven years back as a separate State, Jharkhand perhaps is the only State whose capital is not directly linked to the States of south and west India like Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune and Bangalore despite repeated request by the residents and business class of the State, which is hampering the business interests of the State. Ranchi, however, is emerging as a potential market of cloths, but the business suffers, as it is not connected to Surat.People feel that the Railway Minister was neglecting the genuine demands of Jharkhand while granting special favours to other States. Former BJP MP Dukha Bhagat said that the demand for a new rail line from Gumla to Korba was still not met, despite the assurance given by the Minister.However, the railway has six ambitious projects for Jharkhand. The State has sanctioned projects worth Rs 2,541 crore. Among the major projects are new lines like Ranchi-Hazaribagh, Koderma-Ranchi (Rs 1,028 crore), Giridih-Koderma (Rs 401 crore), Koderma-Tilaiya (Rs 307 crore) and Deoghar-Banka Sultanganj (Rs 330 crore). But no progress has been made so far and with every passing day the budget is increasing by 40 per cent.Interestingly, Jharkhand is the only State in the country that came forward to cooperate with Railways Ministry to complete projects in the State and decided to bear half of the cost of the projects which was increased to 66 per cent.Ranchi-Hazaribagh rail line, regarded as one of the important project for Jharkhand, is still a far cry and the agitated Yashwant Sinha shot a letter to Yadav demanding an inquiry into it. MPs of Jharkhand, including Ajay Maru, had raised this issue in the Parliament during a debate on the Rail Budget. Yadav is stated to have assured the leaders that the work would be completed within the stipulated time.Inder Singh Namdhari, former Jharkhand Assembly Speaker, said during the last seven years no fresh lines were laid in the State. The demand to start Patna-Ranchi Shatabdi Express was turned down by the Minister, he added.

Rail Budget brings not much cheer for Jharkhand

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi RANCHI Wednesday, February 27, 2008 The Pioneer

Union Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav may claim 'Chak De rail' for his Rail Budget 2008, which he presented in the Parliament on Tuesday, but the people of Jharkhand have nothing to cheer up.The general mood among the people is that Jharkhand is not in the good books of Yadav. The Rail Budget, a basket of comfort, Yadav loves to say, contained nothing that could cheer or give comfort to the people of the State.Out of the 10 new Garib Raths, 50 new trains, extension of 16 trains and 11 other trains whose frequency were raised, the State has to remain contented with a few. The State has got only two new trains including the Garib Rath scheduled to run between Ranchi and Delhi thrice a week and the Ranchi-Chopan Express besides an increase in the frequency of the Ranchi-Bhagalpur Varanchal Express and extension of 8611 upto Sambhalpur. However, Yadav tried to rub balm on the injured feelings of the people by announcing a Railway hospital in Ranchi.But the people termed the Budget as unsatisfactory and anti-Jharkhand since their demand for new trains for Pune, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat and Chennai were not considered. Even the State RJD leaders find it tough to convince the people.Union Minister of State for Food Processing Subodh Kant Sahai termed the Budget satisfactory but accepted that the State was not given a fair share and also no word came on the Ranchi-Hazaribagh dream project. While accepting that the State was not given its due share and new initiative should have been taken to the speedy disposal of projects, Lok Sabha member Bhubaneshwar Prasad Mehta has termed the Budget as historic as Jharkhand was taken seriously for the first time in the last four Rail Budgets. But he declined to say anything when he was reminded that the same Lalu Prasad happened to be the Rail Minister in those days also. The MPs of the State have a last chance to correct this anomaly on March 10 when the Parliament will discuss the Rail Budget.The BJP has already taken cudgel against Yadav and threatened to start an agitation if the demands for new trains were not fulfiled. Rajya Sabha Member Ajay Maru said it was unfortunate that the State was not provided with any train and it was surprising to note that a big State like Jharkhand was allotted only two trains.He also doubted the existing railway projects worth 1,950 crore in the State would be abandoned for want of funds. He contested the statement of Yadav that the State Government did not come forward to run the project as Jharkhand had already provided 750 crore for the six projects.While no new projects were announced for the State it was paining to note that no substantive assurance was given in regard to the six major railway projects running in the State including Ranchi-Hazaribagh, Koderma-Ranchi, Giridish-Koderma, Koderma-Tilaya and Deoghar-Banka Sultanganj. Although, he assured that Deogadh-Dumka and Ghormara-Dumka would be completed very soon but the State failed to garner any new project. Also budget has allocated Rs 1,500 crore to develop Patna and Secunderabad junctions into world class junctions and major stations of the State has not been included.Terming it as the most unfortunate day for Jharkhand, senior BJP leader Yasvant Sinha lambasted Yadav for deliberately killing the Ranchi-Hazaribagh rail line and other projects. He wanted to know the fate of some 14 rail bridges which have not been completed even after eight years. "He will have a tough time to explain this to the people in the next election," he said.Opposition leaders of the State blamed the MPs of Jharkhand belonging to the UPA Government, who remained mute spectators during the entire Budget speech and did not walkout as their counterparts from Gujarat did. There is no NDA Government at the Centre and they have no pretext to blame NDA for not giving fair share to the State. Now Jharkhand would have to wait for the final exit of Lalu Prasad Yadav to get its share, they said.

======================================

Change of guard likely in BJP

Vijay Deo Jha Published February 18. 2008 The Pioneer

The central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party seems to be contemplating a change of guard in Jharkhand. In all probability, it may go in for a veteran party leader to head the organisation in the State. The rumours doing the rounds in the party headquarters here suggest that Member of Rajya Sabha Devdas Apte could be assigned the task to gear up the party in the State. The names of party MLA from Jamshedpur West Saryu Rai, Dineshanand Goshwami, former State party president, Yadunath Pandey, former State chief, Raghubar Das and Sunil Singh also figure in the list of the prospective president of the State BJP. Already worried about the repeated defeats of the party in the byelections including the recent Semaria byelection, the party high command fears a mass debacle in the next Assembly election if the corrective measures were not taken. Since the party is also eyeing to capture at least 10 out of 14 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand, the central leadership is serious about handing over the reigns to a more capable person . According to the sources, the BJP president, Rajnath Singh have conveyed his concern over the poor performance of the party to the State president of BJP, PN Singh during his Delhi visit a week ago. PN Singh had gone to Delhi to discuss the proposed rally of the party. The Leader of Opposition of BJP in the State assembly Arjun Munda who was on a personal visit to Delhi also met the senior party leaders and he was also conveyed the same. The high command has not taken it kindly that the state unit did not convene a review meeting on the defeat of the party in Simaria.But, the party does not want to take any decision in hurry as it would create confusion among the party cadre and prefers to maintain a status quo till the month of March when the civic body polls would be over. The party expects to regain lost grounds by way of better performance in the corporation election. Although, the said election is not fought on the party line but the State leadership is considering it an opportunity to impress the central leadership.However, the present incumbent, PN Singh, who will in any case continue to be the State president till next year, ruled out such possibility. He, however, conceded that the State BJP required an overhauling which was slated to be discussed after the month of March. He hinted that an important meeting of the party functionaries may be convened in the last week of this month to discuss the issues including the strategies to revive the party to perform well in the corporation elections.

No non-tribal CM in State, says Kailashpati Mishra

No non-tribal CM in State, says Kailashpati Mishra

Vijay Deo Jha February 14. 2008

BJP may find it difficult if it go ahead with its plan to project a non-tribal Chief Minister of Jharkhand, if the party comes to power in the next Assembly election. The issue became significant as a senior BJP leader and former Governor of Gujarat Kailashpati Mishra asserted that he would stop the Central high command from installing a non-tribal as the Chief Minister of the State, if the party come to power. Mishra had come to participate in the 177th martyrdom anniversary of Vir Bhuddhu Bhagat at Ranchi.The statement not less than a senior most party leader, at least confirms that the party was deeply divided on the issue and the high command was also aware of this controversy. The blunt remark of the senior leader must have dampened the spirit of a section of BJP leaders who are keenly campaigning for a non-tribal CM.

BJP goes on offensive after Simaria debacle

BJP goes on offensive after Simaria debacle
Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi RANCHI Wednesday, February 13, 2008

After remaining silent for a week after the defeat of the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) candidate in Simaria, the party leadership is now trying to resume an attacking posture against the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Arjun Munda, leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, tried to inject fresh blood in the rank and file of the party workers in a rally of Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) at Madhukam, Ranchi. However, the party is more defensive rather than offensive this time. It has not come out and still under a state of shock after its humiliating defeat in the Simaria by-election. The party leadership is doing 'atma manthan' (instrospection) to find the reason for the failure of the party but at the same time is trying to reconcile with this defeat. However, even on Tuesday no top leaders of the party are ready to provide any concrete reason for the loss of their face in Simaria, nor they accept that the this defeat had any impact on the morale of the party. But, the top leaders of the party accept that the party became marginalised in the State politics after this election and they needed to strengthen the party. The top priority of the party at present is to stop any possible poaching by Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) whose president Babulal Marandi has openly challenged the BJP to take action against MLAs sympathetic to the JVM. The defeat has started an internal squabbling in the party over the issue of leadership. According to sources, a section of party is blaming a top leader of the BJP for this defeat and questioned the much hyped pad yatra of Yasvant Sinha. This is also said that the talk of a non-tribal Chief Minister by some of the leaders of BJP polarised the traditional tribal vote banks of BJP in favour of JVM, which went against the party. The party has changed its strategy and henceforth it would prefer to project the Congress and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) responsible for the misrule in the State. It has found a weapon in the form of the soft stand of the Minister of State for Urban Development and observer of the State Congress Ajay Maken on the issue of support to the Madhu Koda Government. It is banking more upon the internal difference of UPA. The party is calculating a possible rupture in the relations of the Congress and the RJD in the near future which they think would help BJP to expose UPA in the State. The party is also carefully watching the proposed induction of Sibu Soren into the Central Cabinet which they hope unfold a political drama in the State.

UPA has weakened in Jharkhand, says Subodhkant Sahay

UPA has weakened in Jharkhand, says Subodhkant Sahay
Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi RANCHI Sunday, February 3, 2008

The UPA has no more remained united in Jharkhand. The alliance will think of its strategy after the result of Simaria by-election. Those criticising the Congress party and its decision to file its candidate will come to realise our present stand on the development issue of Koda's Government, once the result was published,"Subodhkant Sahay said this in an exclusive interview with The Pioneer. Sahay had come to Vikash Bhavan, Ranchi to donate an ambulance van to Ram Krishna mission TB Sanatorium, Tupudhana and sewing machines among the members of a self-help group.Speaking in the context of the Simaria by-election and the on going tussle in UPA, Sahay said that the by-election was not a sort of friendly contest as said by some of the UPA partners. He accepted that the Congress was trading alone in the State and hinted that the solidarity of UPA had shattered in Jharkhand. Taking about the strategy of the party after the result of the by-election he said that they would not hesitate to go alone in Jharkhand and said that the party would recover its strength sooner or later.Sahay was upset over the tirade of Lalu Prasad Yadav, challenging Ajay Maken and other State leaders of the Congress party on fielding its candidate in the by-election. "Lalu Prasad should not go berserk if the Congress fielded its candidate. Instead preaching us he should analyse his own acts in the past", Sahay said that the party would not cringe for a political space in the State from its UPA allies. He accepted that there was a lack of coordination among the UPA allies in deciding candidate for the by-election but nobody can blame the Congress for ditching its allies. It was RJD, which started this trend. The party had the natural claim over Simaria as it had successfully contested the election in the past. However, he did not mention the name of any leader but clued in that a section of leaders of UPA were busy in scripting humiliation of the party. Sahay accepted that the Congress party was trading alone in the State politics but the party was ready to follow ekla chalo re (go alone) rather to face humiliation.The much-hyped decision of the Congress to take a major decision after by- election has put the UPA allies on tenterhook. But, for Sahay, the by-election was not a benchmark or a time line to decide on the fate of the government. Yet, he did not decline that more or less the result of the by-election would have an over all impact on the state politics. However, he parried any possible regime change after by-election, but hinted that anybody who can bring development was welcomed. He denied that the party in general and Ajay Maken in particular were averse to Madhu Koda. "Koda is not an issue for us, we supported him to fulfil the aspiration of the people and to speed up the development but he we have asked Koda to show result" he said.But, the party does not seem to be satisfied with the performance and said that UPA allies minus Congress conspired to present a false progress report card to gain sympathy from the public and the Congress high command. The party has decided to make it an issue in the by- election, he said.