Ranchi: Since the formation of Jharkhand, no single political party has ever got a majority in the eighty one seat Jharkhand assembly.
Because of this, for 15 years, Jharkhand has not had a stable government and the consequence being that the newly curved state had to witness several presidential rules.
In 2015, when the results of the Jharkhand assembly were declared, again no party had a majority. But being the largest one, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) got a chance to form a government. Later, six legislators of Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) were merged in the saffron camp. It helped Raghubar Das to complete its full five years tenure for the first time.
In 2019, when Mahagathbandhan had got absolute majority, nobody had believed that within three years, there would be another political uncertainty in the state.
Political Crisis in Jharkhand
But it happened. From August 25, since the ‘news’ started doing rounds, on the information based on sources in Jharkhand that state Election Commission has sent a report on the issue of profit to the Governor and recommended disqualification of chief minister Hemant Soren, political uncertainty has begun in the state.
The crisis has further deepened, when even after three days of the EC submitting its report, it was not made public by the governor Ramesh Bais.
For the third consecutive day, the media kept floating the disqualification story of Hemant Soren but there was no official statement from Raj Bhavan.
On Saturday, ruling party MLAs led by chief minister Hemant Soren held meetings and also went for a political picnic in Khunti. By the evening, they returned to the state capital.
While Bharatiya Janata Party leaders participated in a three day workshop in Giridih. Former chief minister Raghubar Das told newsmen that they will not let Hemant Soren do anything and they could not do illegal activities sitting on a constitutional post.
Meanwhile, eNewsroom has learnt that on Monday, August 29, the commission can submit another report, this time on Hemant Soren’s brother Basant. Basant Soren, an MLA from Dumka is also facing office of profit allegation.
Delay by the Governor fuels horse-trading
Vinod Singh, the CPIML legislator, who is neither in Gathbandhan camp nor in National Democratic Alliance (NDA) told eNewsroom on the political crisis in the state.
“Whatever is the decision of the Election Commission, the Governor should make it public horse-trading,” alleged the MLA.
Double Engine Ki Sarkar Chalane Ki Sanak
While political analyst Vishnu Rajgadia told eNewsroom, “Earlier, there was a trend in the media that they used to give substantial information and politicians used to react. But now politicians used to tweet any information and the media does not try to find out the truth behind it. What is happening in Jharkhand is nobody knows what is the truth, what is in the Election Commission report. But, a political crisis has been created, which is not good for the state.”
“In 2019, when the Mahagathbandhan got 51 seats, it was believed that there would be a stable government in the state. Lekin Jo Double Engine ki sarkar chalane ki jo sanak hai, Jo Aasanvedhanik Hai Uss Ke Wajah Se Ye Sab Ho Raha Hai. [The intent to run a double engine government (same party government in center and state. A term coined by BJP) leading to such a situation in Jharkhand]. It is not constitutional and it is unethical.”
The senior journalist argued, “Supreme Court should take this note if the party in center is giving preference to the same party government and doing step motherly treatment to another political party government.”
“The anti-defection law is very important. It should be implemented well. And the government at center has the responsibility to maintain it. But the reverse is happening in the country and the center is misusing it the most,” Rajgadia pointed out.
He added, “Hemant Soren government has sufficient numbers, and any government runs on numbers. But if some crisis has been created then it is not just unfortunate for Jharkhand but for the entire country.”
