Birth pangs for the Hemant Soren Government seem to be far from over. Even ten days after the Congress — the party has five MlAs less than coalition leader JMM — nominated its members and chairman to the State Coordination Committee, the other partners are yet to follow suit in this regard.
The nonchalant approach of the JMM and the RJD is being attributed to the Congress’ big brother attitude in selecting the party members independently for the committee. While a host of JMM leaders are feeling disenchanted with Disom Guru Shibu Soren’s omission from the Committee, the RJD is sulking over communication gap maintained by the Congress.
“We were not consulted before the announcement was made. We have been told to suggest name from our side but when it is the coordination committee then it should have been formed after proper coordination,” said a senior party functionary of the RJD. While the JMM is maintaining silence in public for discarding senior Soren, but inordinate delay in naming its nominee for the committee says everything.
"It will take place soon, probably in a day or two. let a complete Cabinet be formed first," said JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya while turning the heat on to the Congress. Pradesh Congress Committee president Sukhdeo Bhagat, also a member of the Committee headed by in-charge of party affairs in Jharkhand BK Hariprasad, would once again consult the coalition partners to end the logjam.
“We have not received any name from the JMM and the RJD as of now. It would take place in a couple of days. I would talk about this with them today itself,” said Bhagat. Significance of the Committee becomes crucial when the State is facing a host of issues concerning domicile and drought like condition hovering over it. These issues were also mentioned in the 'common agenda for Governance' released by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
The agenda besides sketching roadmap for development and dealing with Naxalism also talks about formation of a special committee for fixing contentious domicile issue and recording seven per cent growth in agriculture in a consistent manner. Things are being said at informal channels and fresh statements from political leaders both from inside and outside the Government are coming on day-to-day basis sans a meaningful deliberation at top level.
"It has been formed for that very purpose only. Political parties who did nothing on the issue while in power are taking advantage of the situation. Had it been formed, it would certainly have helped in getting a clearer picture. There are a number of other issues lying unattended," said Alamgir Alam, one of the Congress' nominee in the Coordination Committee. lack of coordination in the Government is so rife that members of the Cabinet are speaking in different voices taking into consideration their vote bank. After the CM reiterated his stand on domicile issue, Water Resources Minister Annapurna Devi (RJD) suggested him to maintain patience.