Explaining to the uncomfortable question being asked by the BJP about inaction during his 14-month tenure on contentious domicile policy, Hemant Soren blamed imposition of model code of conduct for the 2014 Assembly polls in the State for developing cold feet.
“They say that we did not bring the policy when in power. I want to clarify here that I had formed a committee which had almost completed the job. The policy had taken final shape but then came the model code of conduct and we could not announce it,” said the JMM leader addressing the media outside the Assembly.
Amid the allegations and counter allegations, the BJP members have questioned the sincerity of Hemant Soren when he came to the office by pulling down the then JMM backed Arjun Munda Government on the domicile issue and remained in power for 14 months. Soren, at the same time, also rejected claims of the Government that the State already has a domicile policy in place.
“They just speak lie. Which policy they are talking aboutIJ Has it been given any statuary statusIJ Would just the executive decision be suffice in this matterIJ If it is so, then why the court is intervening on residential certificate matters,” asked the loP.
When asked why his party has not submitted in writing its opinion over the domicile policy which is being sought by the Government, Hemant retorted saying it was not necessary.
“First, let the Government clarify its position, then we would do it. If we or Opposition parties do not give their suggestions would they not declare the policyIJ If it is so, then they should handover the task to us and we would formulate the policy for the State,” he added. later, Congress legislator Sukhdeo Bhagat also echoed Hemant’s view and demanded for freezing the vacancies till the policy is in place while differing over the hullabaloo.