Ruling party in the State, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday expressed displeasure with the Election Commission India (ECI) on the issue of removal of Deoghar Deputy Commissioner, Manjunath Bhajantri. The party termed it as unjustified and interference in the jurisdiction of the State Government.
Addressing a press meet at the party headquarter in the State Capital JMM General Secretary, Supriyo Bhattacharya said that DC and SDO have an important role as District Election Officer and he termed the Election commission’s decision as unjustified and interference in the jurisdiction of the State government.
“The Commission has issued a letter to the Chief Secretary on December 6, asking to remove the DC. The MP has expressed displeasure over the wrongly done FIR in the Nishikant Dubey case. During the Madhupur bye-election, Deoghar DC had complained to the commission that Dubey was trying to create confusion among the people creating tension,” said Bhattacharya.
The party General Secretary said that instead the DC was removed from election work for 4-5 days. “After the removal of the Code of Conduct after the election, Bhajantri was again given the responsibility of Deoghar DC. Now the commission is asking to remove the FIR registered against the MP on the basis of it. It is unconstitutional. Such examples should not come up again,” he added.
Bhattacharya said that the commission is engaged in unnecessary interference in the affairs of the State like the Central Government. “It seems to be working as a leading institution of the BJP. This has to be avoided. The State Government has the Constitutional right to see which officer will get what responsibility in the State, where it will be found. In such a situation, the commission will have to take care of its image and boundaries. Late filing of FIR is not an issue,” he added.
“Every child knows that crime never dies. In the Raghubar Government, in the Rajya Sabha elections, the then police officer Anurag Gupta had committed an unconstitutional act, due to which a case was filed. The court will decide whether to register an FIR or not. Not the commission. The court also has the right to give a decision in any case,” said Bhattacharya.
The Party General Secretary said that under the 10th schedule, the commission had agreed to the merger of Babulal Marandi's party with the BJP. “In fact it is the prerogative of the Assembly. In such a situation, it may be that the commission itself should decide which scheme should be run in the State under what name. Dhoti Sari Scheme, Poto Ho Scheme, Birsa Green Village Scheme and other schemes should also be decided by the same,” he added.
