RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Dec.15: The winter session of the Jharkhand assembly is likely to be uproarious as the main opposition party of the state, BJP, is planning to corner the Hemant Soren government on various issues that are going to give a long term impact on the life of common people.
Though the BJP legislature party will chalk out its strategy by late evening today, sources in the party indicated that the issues having long term impact in the state include irregularities in JPSC civil service preliminary test through which civil servants are recruited for a long term government job, providing place to a particular religious community to offer prayer in the temple of democracy, not taking decision on the issue of leader of opposition which is required to run the house in democratic system, killing of political leaders associated with main opposition party and recruitment rule that deprive a section of local residents studied outside the state.
Apart from this, BJP insiders said, some temporary issues of public importance like non-reduction in VAT levied by the state on petrol and diesel, irregular power supply following dispute with power producing companies, irregular water supply may also hog limelight in the house during this session.
A senior BJP leader supported the speculations saying with the absence of chief whip of the party, Biranchi Narayan, on Tuesday evening the stand of the BJP has become almost clear.
“On Tuesday, Pradeep Yadav was called during all party customary meetings before the assembly session in the capacity of deputy leader of Congress legislature party while Babulal Marandi was not called for the meeting in any capacity despite BJP having appointed him BJP legislature party chief. The BJP took a serious note to the development and boycotted the meeting seeing it as a partial approach. The BJP took strong exception to this issue as the matter of defection against both Yadav and Marandi besides Bandhu Tirkey is pending before the Speaker. In this situation how come Yadav was invited in the capacity of deputy leader of Congress and Marandi was ignored,” the senior BJP leader said.
Anticipating the situation, cabinet minister Mithilesh Thakur today said that time has come to ensure how efficient are our legislators in honouring the words of the state governor who while addressing them on the Assembly Foundation Day on November 22 suggested them to honour the dignity of the house.
The Governor had said that it is expected from legislators that they discuss the issue of common people and develop their constituencies from where they come but they are being observed creating disturbances. He had asked legislators to get rid of this practice to make the state assembly among the best assemblies of the state.
He had also told legislators to come prepared in the house for proper discussion and raise issues in accordance with rules and regulation instead of shouting in front of the Speaker’s chair. Talking about the role of opposition he said its role should be constructive and should ask their question in a better way.