State Cong gears up for ‘friendly fight’ for LS

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Monday, November 10, 2008

As the next Lok Sabha election is approaching near, the Jharkhand Congress has started gearing up to keep its tally in the State intact. The party has decided to start a number of programmes to strengthen grassroots and to give a boost to poll campaign.

However, it might not shy away from friendly contest in some of the parliamentary constituencies in Jharkhand. This was revealed during the State-level meeting of district presidents of the party in the State capital on Sunday

Trying to make its political presence felt in the State, the Congress decided to revive its old programme; “workers rally” in the different divisions of the State that it had undertaken to expose the corruption during the regime of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda. Similar rallies would be organised in Palamu division on December 6-7 to showcase the achievements of the UPA Government

Emerging out of the meeting, Pradesh Congress Committee chief Balmucchu, and AICC secretary and Congress State incharge Abdul Mannan announced a number of programmes such as “Rajiv Gandhi Panchyati Raj Sangathan” scheduled to be held on November 29 that would be attended by Union Minister for Panchyati Raj Manishankar Aiyar. Through this programme, the party hopes it would be able to generate awareness among the mass about the importance of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA).

It is almost decided, NREGA becoming the major poll plank of the party in the next general election. In the meeting, it was decided to form members’ committees at district and block levels for spreading the message that the institution of the panchayati raj in Jharkhand is must for effective and corruption-free implementation of NREGA.

It further announced a string of activities such as the formation of booth committees by the end of November 15. The regular meeting of such booth committees would start from November 19 coinciding the birthday of late Indira Gandhi. The membership drive is also on the top of party agenda.

The consensus that emerged after the meeting was: It would like to have a friendly contest in some of the parliamentary constituencies here in the State if other UPA allies including RJD and JMM do not entertain its claim over some of the constituencies such as Chatra, Hazaribagh and Koderma, which party wants to contest, besides retaining such parliamentary constituencies which it won last time.

Balmucchu clarified the stand of the party: "We have a natural claim over these seats and the party would go to any extent to further the tally of the UPA in the State."

For Chatra that is represented by the RJD, the Congress claims to be the only party from UPA clan that can give NDA a befitting reply in the election.

The party would discuss its claim with other UPA allies and "It would be premature to come to any conclusion, the top leaders of the UPA are still to undertake any such meeting for seat sharing," he added.

He answered tactically when he was asked whether the Congress would leave its claim over some of the constituencies if other UPA allies made similar ‘friendly claims’. “We would sit together and discuss our relative strength and weakness… and would come to consensus,” he remarked. It should be noted that RJD made a similar claim over Godda, the moment Congress claimed Chatra.

Munda dares UPA MPs to resign on MNS issue

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Sunday, November 9, 2008

UPA MPs from Jharkhand should not keep mum and "tender their resignation from Parliament in protest against atrocities committed against north Indians by MNS thugs in Maharashtra", leader of opposition Arjun Munda said on Saturday.

He was answering a specific question at a Press meet on whether or not UPA MPs from Jharkhand would go the JD(U) way and resign from their posts as a mark of protest against the inaction of the Centre and Maharashtra Government for not protecting the north Indians from chauvinistic backlash of the MNS. A day back, the JD(U) MPs from Bihar submitted their resignations en masse on this issue.

Taking the background of the continued silence of the MPs of Jharkhand on this issue during the winter session of Parliament, Munda said this during an interaction with the media in the State capital on Saturday.

Holding the State Government headed by Shibu Soren equally responsible for not pressurising the Central Government to tame the MNS, Munda alleged: "Their (MPs from Jharkhand) conspicuous silence over the whole issue exposes their character and commitment. The JMM, which is a part of the UPA Central Government, should have taken measures to protect the people of the State. The Government has become insensitive to the plight of the people even though the violence took toll on the life of the people of Jharkhand."

Munda also termed organisations like the MNS as 'great threat' to the nation and its 'federal character' and cautioned: "People and politicians need to unite on this issue as such parties nourish an ambition to grab power through such subversive means." He also took a dig at the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress for giving a free rein to MNS in its violent rhetoric against north Indians.

Speaking about State politics, Munda said: "Even the formation of a new Government in Jharkhand has failed to arouse any hope regarding development since the Government is stuck to a two-point agenda to form new blocks to woo the voters and to project his son as a future leader.

State BJP president Pashupatinath Singh also criticised the State Government for creating blocks as per the recommendations of JMM MLAs while ignoring the genuine as well as old demands of people of the areas which are represented by the MLAs other than the UPA.

Slew of projects likely to mark State Foundation Day

Rajiv/Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Friday, November 7, 2008

Considering the Jharkhand Foundation day as the most opportune time to showcase its achievements, the State UPA would hold a meeting on Saturday to chalk out plans to use the occasion to announce several projects as poll sop.

Dropping hints about the intention of the State Government to announce several projects to benefit the poor section of the society, State RJD president Gautam Sagar Rana told The Pioneer that the UPA allies would discuss the foundation day preparations of Jharkhand.

The State Government has decided to turn the foundation day as a mega event and requested the UPA allies of the State to “stand united” on this occasion.

But casting damper upon proposed 'stand united' show the MLAs of the State Congress criticised Chief Minister Shibu Soren for calling such meeting without addressing the core demands of the party.

While stating that the party MLAs had no information about the meeting, Congress MLA Niel Tirkeysquarely blamed the JMM chief for cornering and ignoring the core demands of the Congress including proper implementation of the developmental projects in the State.

"Such meetings would be a sham and a worthless exercise at a time when we have not been able to deliver the promises made to the people," he lamented. Although Congress MLA Sukhdev Bhagat said that he was not intimated about the agenda of the meeting, leader of the Congress members of the Legislative Assembly Manoj Yadav claimed that he has told them about it.

This cosmic morning

Ghats echo with Chhath prayers

Vijay Deo Jha/Richa Ojha, Ranchi Thursday, November 6, 2008

The dawn of the day was a cosmic moment for the devotees when the Sun begun its precipitous ascends in the eastern horizon, and the distant sky was flaming orange like saffron scattered on the heaving rivers, lakes and ponds.

It marked the advent of the final day of four-day-long Chhath Puja when devotees assembled on the banks of rivers, lakes and ponds of the town and offered arghya to the God Sun with folded hand and bowed head. They offered wheat, milk, sugarcanes, bananas and coconuts to the Sun as part of the ritual for divine blessings.

The devotees included 80-year-old Yamuna Devi, who concluded 45 years of worship without fail and Abhaylal Kishore, who travelled a distance of five kilometres all his way prostrating.

Cutting across the caste and creed, millions of devotees; mostly women, took a dip in rivers and ponds for a holy bath in nearly 43 water bodies across Ranchi and offered their prayer to the rising Sun hoping for god's bounty. At some places people celebrated the festival while digging small tanks within the premises of their house.

Chhath Puja was celebrated at different water bodies in the town --- Kanke Dam, Line Tank, Rukka Dam, Bada Talab, Karamtoli pond, Jail Talab, Bariatu Housing Colony Talab, Argoda besides river Swarenrekha where devotees prominently participated in the festival. The Chhath festival was celebrated at the famous Surya temple, Bundu where devotees offered special prayer to Sun God.

But the river Harmu remained desolated more or less owing to its advanced stage of pollution resisting a good number of people from sinking themselves in stinking water for prayer. At Kishorgang the residents offered their prayer in the small tank specially dug for this purposes. There were some other people also who faraway from the bustling ghats of water bodies celebrated Chhath on their rooftop and preemies with equal notes of devotion.

Devotees, who started thronging at river and pond sides from early in the morning attired in new colourful clothes, presented a panoramic conglomeration of religious devotion and festivity. Added with it was the Chhath related sonorous folksongs: Dinanath ho Kahio Ne Sukhai Ankhik Nor…Kahiya Puraibai Assa more, which showed the devoutness of the people at its best display.

People and devotees who turned festive with the offering of evening Arghya to descending Sun on Tuesday refused to sleep whole night as they could been seen busy in bedecking the ghats and illuminating it with lights.

Before the break of day the ecstatic mass with loads bamboo strewed baskets on their head surged on the roads trudging their ways to different water bodies.

Different puja organisations and the wings of district administration had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the festival. The electricity department was specially instructed to ensure the smooth supply of electricity. Stalls and tents were erected to welcome the devotees.

Who loves you self styled Fasist

Raj’s pledge to allow Chhath Puja has no believers

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Monday, November 3, 2008

Although Raj Thackeray and his MNS thugs climbed down and said okay to Chhath Puja, the damage has been done.

It left many who returned home emotionally bruised and shattered. Madan and Ranjeet, both brothers from Kanke, are among those who fled from Mumbai under extreme condition with scars of MNS brutality deep upon their psyche.

Now, they will celebrate Chhath puja along with their family member but MNS sponsored violence took toll of their enthusiasm and gusto.

"Yes, we will celebrate festival with the same verve but the moment I recollect the incidents how MNS men tortured and mauled us in the street and threatened us with dire consequences if we continue to make Mumbai our home, I get frightened… it pains." Madan gets lost in emotion while sharing some of the recent horrible moments of his life.

To the family members of Madan and Ranjeet, it was the grace of the goddess that saved their lives. There are many such families in Ranchi who made special prayer pledges prior to Chhath puja if their family members in Mumbai come back safely or remain safe there.

But there are some unfortunate families whose members either sustained severe injuries by MNS activists. The worried family members of Ramu Das are desperately trying to find out his whereabouts since it is suspected that MNS desperados have allegedly murdered him. While another Marki Devi is under treatment, her family members are trying to maintain mental poise.

Chandrawati, the wife of Ramu Das, is finding it hard to accept the reality, ever since the politics over Chhath changed the contours and colour of her life. While political parties are capitalising the issue, the neighbours of Ramu Das decided not to celebrate Chhath with fervor. "We lost our friend and we decided to celebrate Chhath with simplicity," said Kailash, the co-villager of Ramu.

Swearing not to return to Mumbai, Ranjeet who now decided to start his own business here narrated some horrors of the icebergs of MNS vendetta. "It was terrifying when MNS men asked us to leave Mumbai and announced they would not allow Chhath puja at sea beach or in any part of Mumbai.

Last time they managed to put a ban on our cultural get together calling it a vulgar and provocative display of UP and Bihar culture." Another victim, Santosh Chaudhary, working with a reputed pharmaceutical company who returned home after receiving threats, said, "Unlike last time this year I did not find myself so happy when I visited my home town for puja celebration. Why does this self-styled champion of Hinduism hate Chhath puja when even people from other religions celebrate it, may god bless him."

The saga of disqualification and other stories

BJP struggles to collect evidence against Marandi for disqualification

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Monday, November 3, 2008

The State BJP that sought disqualification of the deputy Chief Minister, Stephen Marandi from the Speaker of Jharkhand State Assembly, now finds it tough to pursue the case due to the lack of evidence.

The party is still looking for the original paper of case filed by the party MLA, Chandresh Oraon. Interestingly, even Oraon is not aware of the 'where about' of that paper. The sources close to Oraon said that the MLA who signed the original case paper as per the instruction of a senior leader of the party was himself not aware of the merit of the case.

Oraon who originally filed case against the Minister under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution had to face criticism by the Speaker, Alamgir Alam who during the hearing of the case last time, not only asked Orano to come with 'solid evidence' within 15 days but also passed a pointed instruction not to waste the precious time of the court by bringing such cases having no merit. He even said that he could dismiss the petition against if the required evidences in the form of documents were not produced.

During the hearing, Oraon could not produce the evidence of the association of Marandi with the Jharkhand Vikash Morcha. However, he claimed having such news clips which clearly suggest Marandi's alleged violation.

"One should not file cases on the basis of news paper reports which are not admissible in general and are not treated as a primary evidence and record", the Speaker said during the hearing.

Concerned over the remark of the Speaker, the president of the State BJP, Pashupatinath Singh has instructed the media cell of the party to collect evidences against Marandi. Singh even criticised the way in which the BJP approached Speaker without sufficient homework.

According to the party sources, the media cell has been instructed to scan the newspaper of the last two years to collect newspapers reports to substantiate its case. The said exercise came as a nightmare for the media cell that however managed scanty evidences. Requesting anonymity, a senior party leader confided that the BJP was still not confident about the evidences that are only in form of published news.

The media cell is learnt to have submitted the cuttings of published news items. Although both Orano and Singh confidently said that the party would move to the court of speaker with sufficient documentary evidences, but the facts remain party is in position to produce.

UPA allies seek their pound of flesh in LS polls

Vijay Deo Jha/ Rajiv, Ranchi Sunday, November 2, 2008

Eying the Lok Sabha poll, major allies of the UPA Government led by Shibu Soren have started demanding their pound of flesh.

State chieftains of the UPA allies have a very limited say in seat sharing exercise that could be probably undertaken in the coming two months. It is learnt that most of them have conveyed their demands to the party high commands.

The Indian National Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Rastriya Janta Dal (RJD), the constituents of the UPA Government, have staked their claims to contest from more parliamentary seats. However, the allies wanted to retain such parliamentary constituencies, which were won by various parties. Meanwhile, the JMM has decided to convene a meeting of the 'central committee' to decide its claim over different parliamentary seats.

Well-placed sources said JMM was mulling over contesting maximum number of seats in the State irrespective of claims coming out of different UPA quarters. A couple of days ago, the RJD decided to claim Koderma and Giridih LS constituencies besides Chatra and Palamu where it won the elections last time. RJD State chief Gautam Sagar Rana said his party had performed outstandingly in the last Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections.

"The party has decided to contest the General Election from the Giridih seat. We performed well in the four Assembly constituencies against six such seats. We have done outstandingly in Bagodar, Rajdhanwar, Gandey and Giridih," Rana told The Pioneer. The party is learnt to have already decided to field Annapurna Devi from Koderma constituency.

Meanwhile, the State Congress too joined the chorus by staking claim over Koderma, Hazaribagh and Chatra parliamentary constituencies. While confirming the stated move of the State Congress, party spokesperson Alok Dubey said the party wanted to field its candidates in these constituencies. "But we do not want cracks in the UPA regime. The matter would be settled when the leaders of the UPA allies discuss this issue." he added.The Congress does not seem in a mood of any compromise on the issue of Hazaribagh.

But the party's claim over Chatra is enough to create ruffle among RJD leadership as Dhirendra Agrawal of RJD represents the constituency. To ward off any deadlock, a section of party leaders want RJD to leave its claim over Chatra and allow the smooth sailing of Congress. In return, Congress would back RJD candidate in Koderma. But RJD finds little merit in this formula. "Congress too should leave claim over Godda parliamentary constituency where the RJD has emerged stronger", said Rana.

We would have taught lesson to Raj if he could have been in Bihar

Nitish demands Prez rule in Maharashtra

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Saturday, November 1, 2008

The controversy over violent regional cleansing under taken by MNS chief Raj Thackeray against North Indians gained momentum on Friday when Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar demanded CBI and judicial inquiries into the alleged "killing" of Rahul Raj who was shot dead on Monday in a BEST bus by the Mumbai Police by ing five bullets in his body.

He warned JD(U) MPs from Bihar could resign anytime if the Central Government failed to stop violence against North Indians in Maharashtra and arrest the perpetrators.

While demanding President rule in Maharashtra on account of the failure of the State Government to take corrective and punitive measures against MNS activists and giving them a free hand to run terror against North Indians, Nitish also criticised the Central Government for its silence on the whole affair.

Nitish was in the State Capital to discuss the candidature of Basundhara Munda, the wife of late Ramesh Singh Munda, from Tamar Assembly constituency.

While answering a pointed question about the death of Rahul Raj, he said, "If Rahul was indeed carrying and brandishing revolver on that day he should have been arrested by the police and a case against him could have been filled to ascertain truth, but instead he was killed and now some people 'Raj Thackeray and his activists' are trying to justify his murder."

Nitish was referring to the comment made by Thackeray in a Press conference in Mumbai on Friday evening. Terming it a barbaric act, the reported incidents in which people from UP and Bihar are being thrown out of moving train, Nitish said it exposes the lack of sensitivity on the part of the people at whelm of affair.

Criticising Raj Thackeray and his ilk for corroding the federal structure of India and treating Maharashtra as their fiefdom, Nitish asserted, "No political party can impose restriction upon the free movement of the people. Those who are forcing North Indians through violence do not know the impact and ramification of their act."

Mentioning the contribution of people of the different parts of Indian in making Mumbai rich and giving it a chance to boast as the "financial capital of India", Nitish cautioned, "What they (MNS people) will do if money stops flowing to Mumbai, if MNS continues to drive away people from the State."

Later, he met Basundhra Munda to discuss her candidature for the coming by-election of Tamar constituency which lies vacant after the murder of Ramesh Singh Munda. In a brief interaction with media, Basundhara Munda dropped hint to fight elections as JD(U) candidate.

No Kandmal here just politics

Arjun Munda’s meet with Cardinal raises eyebrows in State BJP

Is Munda writing another political script

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Thursday, October 30, 2008

The meeting of Arjun Munda, the senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, with Cardinal Telesphore Toppo last Saturday in the State capital has brought Munda under the line of fire and has created ruffle among the top rungs of the State BJP and RSS.

Although Munda termed the meeting as ‘formal’ and said the duo “discussed the issue of the tribal welfare and unity”, but the party insiders hinted that the meeting was a serious political move of Munda through which he tried to score several points- a secular credential to expand his reach among tribal Christians as well as a veiled hint to the BJP about his original ideological mooring of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). Even senior party leaders accepted it was politically a wrong step that would damage Munda and the BJP in the long run. The meeting has left party leaders guessing whether Munda wanted to write another political script.

But not concerned with what Munda achieved out of this meeting, hardliners and the tribal leaders of the party who in the past locked horns with Christian missionaries over the issue of reservation given to the ‘converted tribal Christians’ of Jharkhand and their alleged conversion of Sarna tribals into Christianity and also the remarks made against Sarna religion in Nemha Bible, have questioned purpose of the meeting.

Criticizing Munda for his meeting with the cardinal without due permission of the party, the senior BJP leader and MLA, Karia Munda said that it might send wrong signal among the party workers and voters- the party is no more the protector of Sarna religion and many such others. Agreeing to what Karia Munda apprehended, a senior party leader said that the meeting has set Munda in contrast as a week back Munda projected himself as a hardliner during his address to the ‘Sarna Mahapanchyat’, a conglomerate of Sarna tribal groups where he categorically blamed missionaries for offending the sentiments of Sarna and categorically repeated party’s unquestionable support to them.

Giving Munda a tough time to explain his stand another tribal BJP MLA, Chandresh Oraon demanded Munda to reposition his stand. “I will raise this matter in the meeting of the ‘working committee’ of the party… this is up to party to decide how does it see this visit which took place without the prior permission of the party.” Appearing belligerent Oraon added that tribal leaders of the party would continue their fight to protect saran religion and its followers.

The meeting had no sanction of the State BJP nor Munda seems to have informed about his intention to the party leaders, a fact indirectly admitted by the BJP State president of the party PN Singh who said that he needed to talk to Munda in this regard.

The meeting took place at a time when the RSS has decided to undertake a nation wise ‘sit in demonstration’ programme at district headquarters from November 7 against the killing of the VHP leader Swami Laxmananand Saraswati. Even though, the RSS has not yet reacted over this, but sources confirmed the meeting of new RSS pracharak, Mithilesh with Munda on last Sunday. What exactly transpired in the meeting and its content is not known but the well-placed sources confirmed RSS has not taken this issue lightly. Refusing to say anything on this issue Mithilesh reacted with “no comment over this issue as we have nothing to do with this issue.”

Congress Working Committee fails to energise workers

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Even though the parliamentary election is fast approaching throwing a major challenge before the Jharkhand Congress to save its respective tally in the forthcoming election, it failed more or less to energise the party workers during the meeting of its ‘extended working committee’ held on last Saturday.

This is despite the party finally adding organisational restructuring and the creation of booth committees into ‘must do it’ list, the response on the part of the district heads of the party and workers were not encouraging.

Although the meeting benefited the party in some other way — the party workers had a chance to speak their mind on several issue including how to strengthen party and generate a dialogue between the top-rung party leaders and the workers as most of the party workers had their complaint against top party leaders for neglecting their views.

Reacting over the outcome of the meeting a senior party leader said that the meeting lost its real agenda and became defocussed in addressing the core issues. Adding further he said: “We must be honest in accepting the truth that party in Jharkhand lost its ideological mooring.”

Speaking on the sideline of the meeting another senior party leader said that the party would have to explain its position in the State. “Either You are in Opposition or term yourself as ruling party. You can not sit on the fence which the party has been doing right now,” he said.

The party workers appeared to be undecided over how to move in the election in absence of a clear-cut guideline added with a concern that with a weak organisation set up at grassroot level the Congress could hardly give a befitting reply to the NDA combine in the State during the election. About the booth committee the reports submitted by the district units of the party at least made clear that the party needed to do some more ground work before it takes on the NDA in the State.

Reacting over this, party spokesperson Alok Kumar Dubey who did not agree to this said, “The meeting gave a positive direction to the party workers. We are ready to face the challenge.”

All hue with saffron cry

Jharkhand BJP leaders told to campaign for Chhattisgarh poll

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Monday, October 27, 2008

Senior BJP leaders in Jharkhand have been instructed by the party high command to gear up and start campaigning for Chhattisgarh BJP for the forthcoming Assembly election, scheduled to be held on November 14 and November 20.

Jharkhand BJP leaders, having connection with Chhattisgarh and Orissa, and those who worked as office-bearers of the party in Chhattisgarh BJP, have been specially instructed by the party high command to campaign for the party and highlight the performance of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh.

Party sources said senior party leaders, including Jharkhand BJP organisational secretary Ranjan Patel, regional general secretary Prassan Mishra, the editor of party periodical Antyodaya; Ravinath Kishore; former spokesperson of the party Ramesh Puskar, BJP State secretary Ganesh Mishra, former BJP MLA Dinesh Oraon and a host of other party leaders.

The party has also decided to hold a series of election rallies which senior BJP leader and leader to the Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly Arjun Munda would address.

During telephonic conversation with The Pioneer, BJP national secretary and Rajya Sabha MP from Madhya Pardesh; Prabhat Jha, who had made a personal request to the leaders of the State BJP for campaigning, said: "Both Jharkhand and Orissa have been an integral part of the State politics due to cultural proximity. The presence of the party leaders from Jharkhand and Orissa would help us to target the tribal vote banks especially in the constituencies adjacent to Jharkhand and Orissa."

The Jharkhand leaders has been asked to focus upon Raighar and Ambikapur, which equally has a large presence of the voters belonging to Jharkhand and Orissa. Terming their presence fruitful for the party in the elections, Jha added that after November 1 some other BJP leaders are expected to arrive.

It should be noted that Chhattisgarh has a massive presence of people belonging to Jharkhand and Orissa, which according to Jha "is near about 20 per cent." Besides election related campaigns, the party leaders from Jharkhand has been assigned with important task of media coordination.

During telephonic conversation with the Pioneer correspondent, Ramesh Pushkar, who has been appointed as media incharge of Raipur centre, said for effective media coordination the party has formed four media cells at four places: Bilashpur, Jagdalpur and Sarjuga and Raipur. The team includes Ravinath Kishore, who said that their first priority was to make people aware of the developmental works done by the Raman Singh Government.

On November 14, elections would be held in 39 Assembly constituencies while in the second phase the rest 51 Assembly constituencies would go for vote on November 20. The BJP has already fielded 20 candidates, including Raman Singh, who filed his nomination from Rajnand Gaon Assembly constituency. Terming it another unforgettable moment for Chhattisgarh BJP, when leaders of both the States stood united for the success of the party in the election, Raman Singh said: "The victory of the party in the elections would be a combined victory of the party units of both the States."

It should be noted that the women cell of Chhattisgarh BJP had actively campaigned for the Jharkhand BJP during the last parliamentary and Assembly elections in the State.For the leadership of Jharkhand BJP, the victory of Raman Singh in the elections would benefit the party in the coming parliamentary elections.

Cong meets decides strategy for parliamentary elections

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Sunday, October 26, 2008

With the meeting of the extended working committee of the State Congress on Saturday in the State capital the State Congress seems to have swung into action for the forthcoming Parliamentary elections in the State, scheduled to be held in the next year.

The party has decided to showcase the achievements of the Central UPA Government. Chalking out different programmes of the party in view of the elections it was decided to celebrate the 123 years of the formation of the Congress in the State capital on November 28.

Terming the constitution of the booth committee crucial to ensure the success of the party in the elections, in the meeting it was decided to constitute the booth committees before November 15. It also decided to convene the regular meeting of the booth committees. Alok Dubey, the Spokesperson, State Congress said that the party would invite the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi and party’s general secretary Rahul Gandhi and other prominent leaders to bless the occasion.

The long marathon meeting of the party also dwelt upon the strategy for the next elections. It also asked the JMM chief and Chief Minister Shibu Soren to decide the common strategy for the next LS elections. Most of the party functionaries wanted the party to field its candidates in all 14 parliamentary seats. But, what worried the party most was that it could not showcase its achievements. It claimed that the party was instrumental behind several welfare measures for the minorities that were started by the previous Madhu Koda Government. But “the party failed to showcase them before the public”, the leaders added.

The party felt serious lack of coordination among the leaders as a large number of party officials blamed the MPs for sidelining them and criticised them for running parallel organisation that to them made a dent on the morale of the party workers. It should be noted that except party MP from Ranchi, Subodhkant Sahai, rest of the party MPs remained absent from the meeting.

Even not condoning party’s State president Pradeep Balmucchu for his alleged unsatisfactory tenure and the style of functioning, some of the senior party leaders including Chhatrapati Sahu Munda, member working committee, said that on the basis of the decisions taken therein the party could barely manage the election unless the party takes into confidence all the sections of the party.

Realising the party is virtually on the margin in Jharkhand the meeting stressed on the need of membership drive to be started the next month. In this context the party MLA Niel Tirkey said that workers would have to raise the issue of the common mass to instil confidence among them towards the party.

All on the name of Marathi Manus

Jharkhand MPs’ silence on MNS sends wrong signal

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Friday, October 24, 2008

Even though the Winter Session of Parliament is likely to conclude on Friday and the stormy protest against the regional cleansing drive undertaken by Raj Thackeray can be witnessed in Bihar and Jharkhand, the elected representatives from Jharkhand found no time to raise their voice during the session.

A fact on record and even accepted by the MPs reveals that while at a time the MPs of Bihar stormed Parliamentary session, the MPs of Jharkhand remained silent more or less.

The episode even kept the winter session of Parliament on boils, where cutting across party line MPs, prominently from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, demanded stringent actions against MNS chief.

Although the Union Minister of Food and Supply appeared on the television along with LJP chief condemned Thackeray and his ilk for their alleged attack on the students of Bihar and Jharkhand. During the telephonic conversation with The Pioneer, Sahai said, "I have been in touch with the DGP and requested him to make every effort to bring Thackeray on transit remand." A case has been lodged against the MNS chief in Jamshedpur and warrant has been issued against him.

While accepting the fact partially, Furkan Ansari, MP Godda, said Jharkhand MPs equally demanded actions against Thackeray. "This act an act of vendetta and ugly demonstration of regionalism by Thackeray which must be protested," he added. A senior Congress leader and MP showed concern over the repeated silence of the MPs of Jharkhand and said that it indeed sent wrong signals among the people about their representatives who can stand united to raise the issue for the larger interest of the State. It may be recalled that the UPA managed 13 seats in the last Parliamentary elections.

The MPs from Jharkhand in the Rajya Sabha also remained silent or least affected while the state capital as well as the other parts of the state was agog with the first hand narration of the gory tell of MNS vandalism. But the newly elected Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, Jayaprakash Narayan Singh contested it by saying that the party was equally sensitive towards the enormity of the issue.

However, reactions on the part of students who barely managed to return to their home safely are sharp. A senior politician quipped that the MPs of Jharkhand virtually turned the state in a political ghetto.

Artist stray from film to politics

Film director Iqbal Durrani eyes Godda parliamentary seat

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Thursday, October 23, 2008

'Come on youth, Make Godda good'. This is not the part of the any dialogue of a Hindi movie rather a 'political overture' of Iqbal Durrani, the noted film director and producer who is trying to start a new inning in Jharkhand politics by contesting the forthcoming parliamentary election from Godda, his home town.

For Jharkhand it is for the first time when a noted cine personality has tried to make room for him in the state politics.

Durrani who is credited with directing writing scripts and dialogues for more than six dozen of films has produced blockbusters like Kohram and Fool Aur Kante, with Amibah Bacchan and Ajay Deogan as star-cast.

It would be after a long span of time the director again moved to the rough terrain of politics. Earlier he had contested election of the president of the students union of Tata College, Chaibasa during his college day- the only Muslim who contested and won election of the student union so far, he revealed.

Durrani who is reported to seeking ticket from the BJP has met BJP state president PN Singh and leader to opposition in the State Assembly Arjun Munda and also senior central party leaders including Sushma Swaraj. He is also in touch with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Bahujan Samaj Party. In this connection he met the JMM chief Shibu Soren on Wednesday.

What prompted him to join politics at a time when film heroes with impressive dialogues and caliber on screen perform shabbily as public representative inside the Parliament and in their constituencies? Durrani, while taking to ‘The Pioneer’ on Tuesday night in the state capital, Durrani as a seasoned politician who has done enough home work to assess the electoral mood of the people said, “I am joining politics with full devotion knowing my responsibility towards people who want development in Godda. I can not fight shy of my responsibility towards my own people who expressed faith in me”.

It is evident that Durrani has been associated with Godda which is also his home town and claimed to have been associated with several developmental projects here. “During my interaction with the people and the problem I faced during executing developmental projects I came to conclusion that I could be more in the command of things if I represent them” , he revealed.

Durrani who some three months back held an impressive 22 KM long Pad Yatra in Godda has given sufficient hint that he was equally serious and resolute to contest election even as an independent if he fails to get ticket from the BJP and other parties. Claiming his Pad Yarta a turning point in making people aware to raise their problems and demand its solutions, Durrani hoped that his fair, apolitical image would be decisive in his election.

Knowing well the political chemistry of the state might go against his aspiration to seek ticket from some national parties but Durrani has stirred the politics of Godda with his door to door campaign and public meeting. Not happy with the developments in Godda he said that the sitting MP of Godda had no time to raise the issue of under-development of Godda in the Parliament. Whether he get party ticket and wins the election, would become clear in the coming days but his presence could be enough to disturb the political calculation of many seasoned politicians.

Ramdev warns Raj against vandalism

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Tuesday, October 21, 2008

On Monday, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev during his brief sojourn in the State capital advised Raj Thackeray, the belligerent chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena to use his potential for some constructive work rather to indulge in bruising his own countrymen. This is a sheer act of vandalism, he added.Ramdev who later on went to Raurkela for conducting yoga camp talked to mediapersons at Birsa Munda Airport said that every good act must be praised either it is century of Sachin Tendulkar or the team spirit of Mahindra Singh Dhoni. But at the same time every wrong act deserves unconditional condemnation. Under the cloak of championing the cause of a particular area and people Thackeray knowingly or unknowingly is shattering the edifice of the Indian society.

Sankalp rally ‘unites’ BJP factions

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Monday, October 20, 2008

The Vijay Sankalp Rally of the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP, LK Advani, seems to have united different factions in the State BJP.

As the countdown for the next LS poll has begun and the BJP has come ahead with new coinage ‘Jeetegi BJP Jeetega Bharat’ to drive the message straight the rally worked as a cementing element to keep the party in high spirit. The senior party leader is learnt to have advised the party leaders to set aside their differences and chart out strategy to take on the UPA in the election.

“The party has become united at least for the time being,” the findings emerged after the review meeting which party undertook to assess the success of the rally in influencing the voters and motivating the party cadre. The fact was accepted by most of the senior party leaders who accepted the total involvement of the party leaders to turn the rally successful.

Talking about the involvements of different factions of the party a senior party leader involved in the preparation for the rally said that it was for the first time when these factions showed unity and brought a large number of party workers from their political constituencies.

However, some of the media reports dropped hint of the lesser involvement of a couple of party leaders. Setting asides his factional differences Saryu Rai was instrumental in managing people to attend the rally including Arjun Munda who in bid to make his impressive presence felt brought the party workers from his home constituency Saraikela- Kharsawan.

“It is time for the party to gain political mileage out of rally and the party is ready to bring the political message among the public,” said BJP State president PN Singh after the rally.

But the unity, the party insiders said, was still cosmetic as on the day of the rally the warring factions subtly tried to take credit of the rally by siding others.

Jharkhand Assembly Speaker to start hearing on MLAs’ disqualification from Monday

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi October 19

"I am firmly committed to pass the final verdict on the cases of disqualifications pending against the MLAs of the State Assembly for the last couple of years and I am sure that there is no full proof legislative solution to problems — the elected representatives shift their loyalty, unless voters choose their representatives cautiously,” the Speaker of Jharkhand State Assembly Alamgir Alam told The Pioneer on Saturday.

Addressing the pending issue of the disqualification of a dozen MLAs belonging to the BJP, Independents and others under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution that prompted the High Court of Jharkhand to ask the office of the Speaker to finalise these cases without further delay, Alam reiterated: “I am under no pressure of any kind and find no reason to defer the decision.”

The office of the Speaker has finally clinched the date of the hearing of the cases of disqualifications falling under Article 191 [2] of 10th Schedule from October 20. Starting the first batch of hearing notice has been sent notice to three MLAs — Minister of Rural Development Enos Ekka, Deputy Chief Minister Stephen Marandi and Water Resource Minister Kamlesh Kumar Singh to defend their case.

Enos Ekka whose disqualification was sought by president of Jharkhand Party, NE Horo will appear on Monday while Marandi’s case of disqualification would be heard on October 25. The last in the list, Kamlesh Kumar Singh would appear on November 10 to defend himself from disqualification as sought by Dinesh Kumar Sarangi and Saryu Rai of the BJP. The case of disqualification of other ‘independent’ MLAs and Minister in the State Government — Bhanu Pratap Shahi, Bandhu Tirkey and Sudesh Kumar Mahto of All Jharkhand Student’s Union are pending with the Speaker.

Going into the details of the schedule of the hearing Alam said, “The cases of another MLAs probably the five suspended BJP MLAs who are facing charges of disqualifications, would also be be taken up subsequemtly and I wish to finish all these cases by the end of the month hopefully.”

These five BJP MLAs — Pradeep Yadav, Ravindra Kumar Rai, Kunti Singh, Vishnu Kumar Bhaiya and Manohar Tekriwal were suspended by the State BJP for their anti-party activities. They not only sided with the Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) of Babulal Marandi but also campaigned against the BJP in a couple of elections.

Later, Vishnu Kumar Bhaiya and Manohar Tekriwal shifted loyalty to the JMM and extended their support to Shibu Soren in his bid to form the Government. The disqualification issue came to the fore again when the BJP which is also the main opposition party in the State Assembly demanded their disqualification by setting deadline before the Speaker falling which the party threatened to launch agitation.

On August 28, a day before the trust vote tabled by Chief Minister Soren, the Speaker suspended the voting right of the two suspended MLAs of the BJP — Vishnu Prasad Bhaiya, MLA Jamtara and Manohar Kumar Tekriwal.

Terming the frequent changes of MLAs, a tendency that gained ground among the MLAs of the smaller States like Goa, North-East State and Jharkhand prominently where the survival of the Governments critically depends upon hairline majority, Alam said: “After wining an election, MLAs have no right to go against the party line nor can they take their voters for a ride.”

‘Resign from the Assembly; seek a fresh mandate if you feel the party and its policy suffocating,’ was Alam’s advice to the legislators.

Hope guillotined

Focus on party, don’t vie for board posts: Maken to MLAs

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi October 18, 2008

The intensity with which the Congress MLAs in Jharkhand pursued their desire to occupy plum post at the boards and corporations in Jharkhand, seems to be running down.

The apparent reason is that the party high command has put their demand for the time being in cold storage.

Already, the in-charge of the State Congress, Ajay Maken is learnt to have decided not to let the party MLAs or any worker occupy headship of the boards and corporations owned by the State Government.

However, the party insiders believe that the reason which compelled the central leadership to dishearten the party legislators in Jharkhand is that the JMM chief and Chief Minister Shibu Soren supposedly claimed Cabinet berths in the Union Cabinet in exchange of boards and corporations for the legislators of the UPA allies.

On account of the so-called unsavoury decision, the party MLAs held the meeting of the Congress Legislative Party on Thursday. Neil Tirkey, the chief whip of the party said that the party legislators finally buried the matter of board and corporation.

Now the matter is left to the central high command and Chief Minister Shibu Soren for their final decision.

“Instead we decided to focus more upon how to strengthen the party organisation for the next Lok Sabha election,” he added.

Answering to a pointed question about the boards and corporation, Tirkey said that it sufficiently damaged the stand of the party and the repute of the party MLAs. The mood and the phrase used by this belligerent and outspoken party MLA who in the past did not mince word in criticising the senior party leaders for duping party legislators on boards and corporation seems to have realised the boards and corporations are beyond their reach.

About the decision, the well placed sources confided that the central high command categorically reasoned them — politically it would not suit the interest of the party to be the part of the JMM Government in any way.

The Congress would continue with its decision to support the Government from the outside as it did in the case of the Madhu Koda Government.

A senior party leader of the State Congress informed that the decision was communicated to the State president, Pradeep Balmucchu a week back — even though officially the State Congress denies having received such communication.

“We have not received any communication in this regard. It is coming through media. If there is any such move, the central leadership should communicate,” Tirkey said. But the scene became somehow clear when Maken asked Balmuchu not to recommend or finalise the list without his prior scrutiny and approval.

Hitting hard at Congress

Cong communalising terrorism: Advani

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi October 16, 2008

BJP prime ministerial candidate LK Advani has accused the Congress of giving communal shape to terrorism. Addressing the most impressive rally of recent times in Ranchi, the 18th Vijay Sankalp rally in the country, Advani on Wednesday urged the people to vote for a change in Delhi and in Ranchi.

Advani said, "Earlier, terrorists came from Pakistan, but in the UPA regime they are coming from within the country in the name of SIMI."

Blaming the Congress and the UPA for helping terrorism grow for the sake of votes, the senior BJP leader said Afzal Guru would have been hanged by now, but only if he was a Hindu, Sikh or from any other religion.

"Afzal Guru, whose death penalty has been upheld by Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, is not being hanged because he is a Muslim and from Kashmir," said the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He also cited an example of Kerala where Muslim students were being given annual stipend of Rs 14,000 while ST students got only Rs 240 a year.

The former Deputy Prime Minister also came down heavily on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement that Muslims have the first right over country's resources. "Only the poor, not based on caste or religion, can have the first right over resources," he said.

"We are not against the welfare of Muslims but the welfare of the poor should not be compromised," he added. While flaying people like Afzal Guru, Advani, however, praised freedom fighter Ashfaqullah Khan.

During his 45-minute speech, Advani ridiculed the JMM and its chief along with Congress party "which always took its support to save its Government in Delhi." Advani dwelled upon several core issues of national importance, including corruption, terrorism and price hike and grilled the Central Government for its total failure.

Advani said, "The UPA Government has nothing to showcase of its four-and-half-year misrule at the Centre except terrorism, price hike and corruption that woefully registered a phenomenal growth." Hitting back at the Congress and the UPA which accused the BJP for playing politics on terrorism, Advani retorted that this was the Congress and the UPA which was playing communal card to save its vote bank.

Referring to his Jharkhand visit twice within a month, Advani said a visit to this State gives him imminence pleasure. He was referring to his stay at Masanjore, where he was kept in detention after his arrest during his famous 'Rath Yatra'.

He also talked about "making and unmaking of Jharkhand". Advani said that NDA formed Jharkhand --- hoping people and the region would avail Susasan (good governance) and develop. "But I feel dismay to see plight of Jharkhand while other two States Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh, which were formed along with Jharkhand have made significant development," Advani lamented.

Hitting hard at the JMM MPs for saving the Narsimha Rao and Manmohan Singh Governments in exchange of money, Advani said it gave Jharkhand a bad name.

He criticised the political parties and leaders for making politics an instrument of making money. Advani said, "We are in the politics to serve the nation not to derive personal benefits. Terming the current UPA dispensation at the Centre the most corrupt and unscrupulous Government; Advani said UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ventured to the extreme of corruption by purchasing MPs to save the UPA Government during confidence motion. "Congress tried to allure the MPs with money to save its government and thus vitiated politics," he added.

The BJP prime ministerial candidate cautioned the Congress to learn from its mischief of the past when it could not open its account in the parliamentary elections in Bihar, Uttar Predesh and a host of other States for imposing emergency. "Indian voters might not be very educated but are gifted with right political sense and acumen and they come down heavily upon political parties for their misdeeds," he said.

BJP national vice-president Yashwant Sinha, who also addressed the rally, accused the Prime Minister and the UPA Government for pushing the country in the state of economic disaster. Talking about current political dispensation of Jharkhand, he said that development of the State came to grinding halt as UPA leadership in the State has no vision. "It is matter of a few months when LK Advani would become the next Prime Minister which will ensure the development of Jharkhand also," he said.

Other prominent BJP leaders, including leader to the Opposition in the Assembly Arjun Munda, addressed the rally.

BJP meet to make rally success today

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi, Sunday, October 12, 2008

As only three days are left when Lal Krishna Advani, the prime ministerial candidate of the NDA, will address a rally in the State capital on Wednesday, the State BJP has asked the district units of the party to send the reports of their preparedness by Monday. The party has instructed the district units to mobilise party workers and bring as much people to Ranchi on that day.

Meanwhile, the State BJP would hold a review meeting on Sunday. Party MPs, MLAs, both former and current, office-bearers of the State BJP, presidents of the ancillary units of the party and BJP Ranchi Mahanagar members would participate in the meeting.

While talking about the meeting, Pradeep Sinha, BJP media in-charge said that it would be crucial one as it would give a final shape to the strategy regarding the rally.

The party has planned its strategy to ensure the turnout of not less than one lakh people to listen Advani. The party is expected to get the details of the particulars of the visit of senior BJP leader LK Advani on Sunday.

In the meeting responsibilities among the party workers and 13 different Mandals of BJP, Ranchi Mahanagar would be distributed. In this connection, Ranchi BJP convened meetings with the office-bearers of Chutia, Sukhdeonagar and Dhruva Mandal units of the party on Saturday.

“We want to make the rally as a benchmark and historic with our coordinated effort. The rally would be attended by not less than one lakh people and it would send a message about the BJP as the only viable political alterative in the State”, said Gama Singh.

The party sources said that the district units of BJP from Santhal Pargana region has been asked to ensure the maximum turnout of people. Meanwhile, Dumka, Deoghar and Pakur units of the party are learnt to have assured to bring maximum number of people.

“It would enable us to assess the organisational strength of the party and the party is focusing on nearly 19 such district units where the party is expecting good response”, a senior party leader said.