RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Oct.12: Former MP and tribal leader Salkhan Murmu has termed Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais’ statement on non-disclosure of content sent by the Election Commission of India to Raj Bhawan ‘one-sided’ and ‘undemocratic’.
Governor Ramesh Bias on Monday had said in Saraikela-Kharsawan that it was his jurisdiction to say what to do with the envelope of the commission while replying to queries from a section of media persons after his convocation address at Arka Jain University.
According to MP Murmu, the statement does not appear to be in consonance with public sentiment, democracy and constitutional norms as the matter is related to the office of profit.
Murmu is of the opinion that the Election Commission of India, the Jharkhand Governor and the Jharkhand Chief Minister are the concerned parties in the matter of office of profit in Jharkhand but apart from these, the people of Jharkhand are the biggest stakeholders.
According to Murmu, whatever decision is taken, it has a direct impact on the people and democracy and thus pendency of the matter for a long time in Raj Bhawan is against the public interest. He believes that the deadlock taking the matter of office of profit tarnishes the dignity and sanctity of constitutional posts.
Salkhan Murmu is of the opinion that if the status quo continues for several more months, the polity may be paralyzed. According to him, it is an insult to the elected legislature by the Election Commission of India to toss out a recognized chief minister in the name of privileged communication on seeking answers.
