The State BJP has strongly reacted over Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) parliamentarian Vijay Hansdak’s remark where he had asked villagers not to pay electricity dues. Hansdak, the lone JMM MP in State had asked people to handcuff electricity department staff if they reach their houses with electricity bills.
State BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said, “The JMM MP’s remarks actually show the culture of party which he belongs. JMM does not believe in democracy as there is no internal democracy within the party.” Shahdeo claimed that the statement of Hansdak, which has been representing Raj Mahal as MP for two consecutive term is highly objectionable and action should be initiated against the lawmaker.
On Sunday, the JMM MP while talking to people at Pakur had asked villagers not to pay the electricity dues. Hansdak made the remark when people who had gathered at Pakur circuit house complained about continuous power cuts in the area. Sources said that the local residents complained the MP that in their area there is continuous power cuts with power supplied only for one to two hour in day. Some local people even complained of without power for more than week.
The people attending Hansdak meeting at Pakur circuit house said that despite poor power supply, the electricity department officials every month reaches their house with pending power dues.
The JMM MP after listening to people’s grievances issued the gag order not to pay power dues. He even asked the people to tie power department officials if they reach their houses.
Echoing the views off Shahdeo, State BJP general secretary, Deepak Prakash said, “The JMM leaders and lawmakers after party’s debacle in Lok Sabha elections have lost their mental balance. Such statements issued by elected public representative amounts to instigating people against an elected government. “
Prakash said, “Action should be taken against such leader so that in future no leaders even dare to make such objectionable statements. There are several ways of making protest, but you are neither allowed to take law in your hand nor instigate people to take law in their hands.”
However, the JMM leadership claimed that the issue has been diverted by some local media. JMM spokesperson, Suprioyo Bhattacharya said, “The MP after listening to people grievances on continuous power cuts only asked the people not to pay the power dues. The MP intended people to protest against power cuts and not to beat up electricity department officials due to power cuts.”
The JMM leader blamed the State Government for poor power situation in State. Bhattacharya said, “Leaving side State Capital entire state is facing is severe power crisis while the State Government is making hollow promises on improvements in power scenario.”
Hansdak is the lone JMM MP, who won the Lok Sabha election this year. The party in alliance with Congress contested against BJP but it won only Rajmahal seat. Even JMM chief Shibu Soren lost from Dumka.