The chinks in the ruling coalition’s armour is getting wider as the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) jumped into the bandwagon of parties opposing the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led Government’s stand on the auction of balu-ghats.
The Government’s stand on continuing with the auction process has drawn ire from the Congress as well. On Tuesday it was the RJD’s turn to demand review of Chief Minister Hemant Soren-led Government’s stand on the auction process mired in controversy for allowing “outsiders” to take part in the process of obtaining mining lease. A team of RJD MlAs on Tuesday met party chief lalu Prasad Yadav to apprise him of the political situation in the State reportedly urging him to take a tough stand against the State Government on the matter. The party has threatened to pull out of Government for ignoring its demand.
“let them (the JMM) state their position on our demand. We have given them the ultimatum but will do anything only after knowing their response,” said Godda MlA Sanjay Prasad Yadav. Interestingly, the RJD MlA has shot a warning to the CM asking him to take a decision as early as possible. RJD MlA from Koderma Annapurna Devi has also asked Soren to clear his stand on the issue of allowing outside companies to take part in the auction process.
“He (lalu) has taken serious note of the situation especially the auction of balu-ghats. It is up to him to decide,” said Hussainabad MlA, Sanjay Kumar Singh Yadav.
Interestingly, realising the mood within the party, the Congress has decided to express its stand on the issue and reach out to masses through a Press conference likely to be called on Wednesday. The party has been under pressure to take a position following a tough taken by Vishrampur MlA Chandrashekhar Dubey. He has been demanding immediate cancellation of mining lease given to Mumbai-based companies and returning the rights of minor minerals to gram sabha as mandated under the Panchayat Extension to Schedule Area Act.
Meanwhile, the Government has maintained its stand on the issue and is continuing with the auction process across the State. “Unless the Cabinet takes another decision this is the rule,” said Secretary Mines & Geology, Dr DK Tiwari. Notably, the ruling coalition has support of five RJD MlAs and seven independents in the Government.