He caught the attention as the one of the most effective whistleblowers of not only Jharkhand but amongst those in the country when Durga Oraon blew the lid off the massive corruption thanks to political honchos.
It was considered as an exemplary act on the part of a school dropout tribal especially when the likes of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, and Ministers in his Cabinet Kamlesh Singh and few others had to spend considerable time behind the bars and sacrifice their propelling careers.
His whistle in the form of the legal remedy Public Interest litigation (PIl)unearthed money laundering scam in the tune of Rs 2,500 crore and at the same time sent him in hiding as well. Disguised for several years, apparently to save himself from the ire of powerful, Durga Oraon is now a part of the political fraternity and that also with the party not known for its anti-corruption credentials.
When asked about his choice Mayawati’s BSP for the parliamentary elections, Durga Oraon defended the step. “It is not like that. I feel good about joining the BSP as it caters lower section of society. Anyway I have impeccable image among the voters and this would be beneficial for me,” he said. Oraon after filling his nomination from Ranchi lok Sabha constituency declared his total asset worth nearing Rs 1.62 crore including land and residential flat.
He is banking upon his pet subject corruption during the polls while putting onus on the national parties for the raw deal the State has received so far. Oraon also feels that Congress’ Subodh Kant Sahay is going to be his main challenger for Ranchi parliamentary seat.
Quite popular among Ranchi households Oraon has fought the countermanded Mayoral Election last year for the city. However, he may have to grind hard in rural areas and an indication in this regard already came on Sunday when handfuls of supporters came listening the party supremo Mayawati. “The State president and leaders did not prepare well and went ahead inviting Mayawati,” charged Oraon.
The corruption crusader is also banking upon ‘Jharkhand Against Corruption’ (JAC), the organisation he formed to fight the malady in the State and helped him in his endeavour. However, known as brain behind his rise and co-founder of the organisation lawyer Rajeev Kumar disagrees.
“He has gone off-track and doing something different which is against the ethics of a social worker like him. We do not support his decision to join a political party and that also the BSP against whose leader cases of massive corruption are pending in the Supreme Court. It was his personal decision,” said the lawyer. He also disassociated the JAC with him and vowed to remove him as its president.
Now when the whistleblower, provided security cover by High Court order, is into political arena it would be interesting to see which way his battle goes in the future.