Jharkhand governor Ramesh Bais and chief minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday shared the dais to celebrate the 22nd foundation day of the state assembly, amid a tussle between Raj Bhavan and the state government over the profit of office row surrounding Soren’s mining lease.
During the event, while Bais thanked former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the creation of Jharkhand, Soren said the state came into existence following a movement spearheaded by his father and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) patriarch Shibu Soren.
Both the governor and chief minister, however, underlined that the treasury and Opposition are equally responsible for ensuring fruitful functioning of the legislature.
“Jharkhand came into existence as the 28th state of India. On this occasion, I would like to remember Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee and thank him for having honoured the expectations of people and creating Jharkhand in order to meet their aspirations,” Bais said.
Expressing concern over a reduction in the number of legislature sittings, Bais said it was time for self-introspection.
“The legislators need to contribute towards improving the image of the house. The decreasing number of assembly sittings and increasing disruptions in house proceedings is a worrying aspect…,” he said.
Citizens elect a representative with lots of hope and aspiration, the governor said. “So, representatives should be responsible for resolving their issues. The motto of politics should be serving people and living up to their expectations,” he said.
Soren, who also addressed the gathering, said Jharkhand came into existence after a long struggle.
“The people of this area, including tribals, dalits and the poor, have long been exploited. Several freedom fighters, including Birsa Munda, Chand and Bhairav, Nilamber and Pitamber, fought against the British. Our social struggle continued even after Independence and after a long movement led by guruji Shibu Soren, the state was created in 2000,” he said.
Soren also said the assembly is a temple of democracy where the ruling party and the Opposition have an equal role to play.
“All MLAs, including those from ruling and Opposition benches, are equally responsible. Both need to work together for betterment of the poor, tribals and the exploited ones,” he said.
The Raj Bhavan and the state government is locked in a tussle over the office of profit row surrounding Soren’s mining lease. Almost three months have passed and the governor is yet to act on the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) opinion in the matter.
As reported earlier, a government official said the poll body made its recommendation in a sealed envelope to the governor, who sought its advice after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded action against Soren for allegedly holding an “office of profit” – in this case, a mining licence.
It is not clear why the governor is yet to act on the poll body’s advice despite repeated requests by the state’s ruling dispensation.
On November 15, Bais had skipped a statehood day function despite being invited as chief guest, a day after Soren moved the high court, seeking direction to restrain the former acting on the ECI opinion.
Meanwhile, CPI (ML) legislator Vinod Singh was felicitated at the event as the “excellent legislator” of the year.
The families of Jharkhand soldiers, who laid their lives for the nation, were honoured at the function. Besides, sportsmen who brought laurels to the state from national and international tournaments, and toppers of board examinations of classes 10 and 12 were also awarded on the occasion.
