Until now supporting the party over Government formation in Jharkhand, Mandar MlA Bandhu Tirkey seems to have decided to show his teeth to the Congress.
Try to negate the postures coming from the national party over his role in the State politics, Tirkey came out in the open on Sunday and blamed it for labelling his ‘genuine’ demands as conditions. Tirkey scoffed off claims that the memorandum submitted to the Congress high command by him contained conditions pre-requisite to joining the party. “These are not my issues. These issues are being raised from a considerably longer period of time in Jharkhand by the people,” Tirkey said.
The MlA, extending crucial support to the Hemant Soren-led Government, has put forth some issues related to tribal, locals and Sarana code etc, understandably to exert pressure on the Congress high command. It is quite known that he is pressing hard for a berth in the Cabinet which is yet to be expanded fully despite being formed a month ago. Though the Congress has made it clear that no Independent would be given ministerial berth, Tirkey is even mulling to join the party to its sake.
Responding to the desperate attempt, Congress State president Sukhdeo Bhagat had clarified that the national party would not bow under any precondition, including assurance to ministry. “He is welcomed into the party, but there is no scope for any condition. All issues would be dealt as per merit,” he said.
However, Tirkey, not making his real intentions obvious, first reminded the Congress of his unconditional support for Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu in Rajay Sabha elections and also before forming coalition Government in the State. He rapped the Congress on a number of issues including Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, Sarna Code, Adivasi rights and threatened that the national party will have to explain their position on these issues to the people of Jharkhand.
Significantly, on the question of ministerial birth in the incumbent Government, Tirkey wavered from “not interested” to “promotion in politics” besides chants of a significant tribal leader in between. “I am in politics from the past 25 years and have been a winner by a very wide margin in elections. So anybody with such credentials would like promotion in politics,” said Tirkey.
Despite a barrage of complaints, Tirkey did not disclose what the future course of action would be if the Congress turns down his request for a place in the party and the Cabinet. He also denounced what the PCC president said about him. “I don’t know what the local leadership is saying. There are people up in the chain of command and they have assured me of conveying their decision to me,” said Tirkey adding, “but nothing has been communicated to me so far.”
With the tussle in-place, it is sure that the next and probably final expansion of the Cabinet would see some flairs coming out in open and have adverse ramifications on the health of the coalition Government, surviving on just two more than that the required numbers in the House.