Fearing stiff resistance from the Opposition parties during the all important Budget session, the Government has distanced itself from its Baghmara MlA and man in the eye of the storm-Dhullu Mahto. The controversial legislator has been told to come prepared and defend himself in the House altogether.
Admitting to the fiery atmosphere being prepared by the parties like JMM, Congress and JVM ahead of the session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Saryu Roy also pulled out some other strategies to deal with the situation.
"Opposition would obviously rake up the issue and they ought to do this as it is their job. As far as the Dhullu Mahto episode is concerned, I have told him to get ready with his response and stand on the controversy. He would present his case in the House for the Opposition members and it is up to them how they accept this," Roy told The Pioneer on Sunday ahead of the Monday beginning.
Mahto has been alleged of seeking ransom and jobs for his supporters from a Russian firm operating at the BCCl coal mine at Jharia-Dhanbad coal belt. The company officials fearing danger to their lives have complained about the alleged intimidation. The matter subsequently reached to the Russian business consulate at Kolkata, which, in turn, sought for State Government's intervention.
Moreover, to buttress its point even more the Government has also summoned reports about the recent controversy from the district administration. "Besides telling him to present his case, I had also sought fact finding and status reports from the DC and the SP of Dhanbad which I have got. We would be placing the facts relating to the Dhullu Mahto case before the House, if demanded by the Opposition," added the Minister.
Earlier with the JVM, Dhullu Mahto has been in news for similar reasons and also facing charges relating to such crimes in the coal-belt. He has been cause of embarrassment for the previous Government when despite being lodged in jail he was found roaming in Delhi scot-free. When this new issue has come up, the Opposition would not let the opportunity to put the Government in a dock go.
"On the one hand, the Chief Minister is making tall claims about atmosphere of investment in the State before the industrialists while his own MlA is running amok back home and demanding ransom. It all shows how hollow the Government drumbeats are. We would raise the issue and several others showing the poor law and order situation in the State," said Congress State chief Sukhdeo Bhagat.