The country was moved when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the first time, bowed down before Parliament while entering the central hall. In Jharkhand, at least half a dozen MlAs followed the Modi act while entering the State Assembly for the first time on the inaugural day of the special four-day session of the fourth Assembly on Tuesday.
And they were not only the BJP MlAs. Congress MlA Badal Patralekh, who has reached the Assembly vanquishing tainted former Minister Hari Narayan Rai from Jarmundi, also joined the bandwagon. The BJP MlAs includ Biranchi Narayan, Raj Paliwar and Jeetu Charan Ram, Ram Kumar Pahan, Shiv Shankar Oraon.
later, 75 legislators out of 81 were sworn-in as both the ruling and the Opposition combine reached at a consensus on the Speaker’s post paving way for two-time BJP MlA Dinesh Oraon to get elected unopposed on Wednesday.
Oraon, who represents Sisai, filed his nomination papers, proposed by all the major parties in the House, for the post of Speaker. Informing about the process, Parliamentary Affairs Minister CP Singh said that nominations papers in the name of Dinesh Oraon had been filed in total five sets with the Assembly secretary. “Two sets of nomination papers have been filed by the BJP, while one each from AJSU, JMM and the JVM-Congress combine. Proposers from all the parties while appearing in person before the Secretary, proposed the name of Oraon for the post of Speaker. He would be elected unanimously tomorrow,” said Singh.
Setting a healthy trend, former Chief Minister Hemant Soren himself became proposer of Oraon from the JMM while Pradeep Yadav turned up from the JVM. CP Singh also described it as a noble precedence in the parliamentary democracy and thanked the Opposition for the cooperation shown. He also made it clear that no demand for Deputy Speaker’s post has been made from the Opposition.
Thanking the entire gamut for supporting his candidature, Dinesh Oraon vowed to take all along. “I thank all the members for their positive cooperation and wishes. I would try to come true on their expectations. It is the duty of the Speaker to provide protection to members from ruling party and as well as of the Opposition on constructive issues,” said Oraon who has been elected to the House for the second time.
He would be the eighth Speaker of the House and the first from a tribal community. When asked, Oraon played it down. “Tribal and non-tribal is a non-issue. Development of Jharkhand is the utmost priority and all those equipped for that should be given the responsibility.”
Meanwhile, the inaugural day of new-look fourth Assembly started with pro-tem Speaker Stephen Marandi initiating the oath administering exercise and serial number of the Assembly constituencies was followed for calling the members. Starting from Anant Ojha of Raj Mahal the counting ended with Bhawnathpur MlA Bhanu Pratap Shahi that also included Chief Minister Raghubar Das in between.
However, five legislators—Anosh Ekka of Jharkhand Party from Kolebira, Sadhu Charan Mahato of BJP from Ichagarh, Dhullu Mahto of BJP from Baghmara, Chamra linda of JMM from Bishunpur and Kushwaha Shivpujan Mehta of BSP from Hussainabad—failed to turn up for the oath. Stephen Marandi had already taken oath of the post and membership of the House before Governor Syed Ahmed.
Anosh Ekka and Sadhu Charan Mahto are presently lodged in police custody and their bail petitions to attend the inaugural session of the Assembly were rejected by the courts. Ekka, in the meantime, has been shifted to Ranchi jail and would be taken to the Assembly on Wednesday. While the others cited personal reasons for not turning up to the House and pleaded the pro-tem Speaker to allow them to take oath later. It is expected that the left outs would assume membership of the House on Wednesday.
Moreover, unveiling his future course of action in the House Hemant Soren said that his party would extend constructive support to the Government. “Our positive support would always be with the Government. It is up to the Government to maintain the reputation of the House. As a Chief Minister I drew a long line and it would be a great achievement for the Government if it sticks to it.”
JVM’s Pradeep Yadav, expressing hope on the occasion, said that all the members together can do better for Jharkhand. “I am hopeful that this Assembly would do a better job for the people of the State and solve their problems in a more concerted manner. Our party is ready to extend all support required to the Government,” he said.