Unlike mayors and chairperson of 10 other municipal councils in the State, Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) Mayor Asha lakra appears to find something good in State cabinet’s decision last week to remove them from tenders and procurement committees of civic bodies. Though she leads them to Governor Droupadi Murmu on Friday last week to get their protest against government decision registered, lakra says she will keep fighting for well-being of city dwellers within her capacity and rights. An excerpt:
How do you take government’s decision to curb your rights as a MayorIJ Are you going to challenge itIJ
The Government is working for overall development of State and if it believes that curbing someone’s rights will lead it to attain ultimate goal, I am very much with government’s decision. As the cabinet decides anything after sufficient amount of brainstorming, I do believe that there must be something good for us the leaders of civic bodies which would come out in due course. So, I have not decided whether I should challenge it or not.
If it is so, then why did you lead the mayors and civic bodies leaders’ delegation to the Governor to get your reservations registered on the matterIJ
I didn’t lead any delegation. I did accompany them, as my residence is located near Rajbhawan and many of them came here to me before going to Governor. Then, I agreed to their view that the Governor must be informed about the development so that if she wanted to take some action on this in future, she couldn’t stop herself just because of there was no complainant.
What positives do you find in government’s latest decisionIJ
There might be many, which I strongly believe time will surely tell. Now files will move faster than earlier, as I was blamed the most of sitting over files. But I must assure you that I will not allow any wrongdoing in my capacity. Even in previous government’s time, there are instances that I used not to clear any file which carried even smallest of discrepancies or vague areas. But as a whole, I do believe that the government must have many things in mind before taking such decision.
It seems you are distancing from those against the decision... Do you fear further reaction from government on your action of protest or whatIJ
It is not at all that. Why should I fear and fear of whom. The government entertains rights to take any step for well-being of the State, and it is intelligent enough to do so without curbing constitutional rights of anyone else. I must remind you that I come from an organisation, the Rashtriya Swyamsewak Sangh (RSS), which believes in ‘we’ in place of ‘me’. We all are working to take Jharkhand on another level. As a Mayor, I will be doing whatever I believe is good within whatever rights I have been given.
But don’t you think that cutting public representatives’ rights and pasting it to babus is something unconstitutionalIJ Have you taken legal opinion to challenge the decisionIJ
As far as legal opinion is concerned, not yet. But again, why do you make me feel that the government is enjoying cutting my powers especially when I am habituated of working within my circumference. Government is well aware of what is constitutional and what is not. let me repeat, we all are working for people of the State.
Do you believe that any anti-Mayor force has emerge stronger than you ever thought ofIJ
Anti-Mayor force means what. Please be little specific.
Ok…let me ask straight question. Do you think Deputy Mayor and many Councilors are against youIJ
I wouldn’t comment on this. I personally believe no one is against me. You may look at those who appear to be against me, but I look at those who are apparently with me. let me repeat that we all are working for people.
Do you think now residents under RMC area will have better facilities and speedy actionsIJ
I could have wished for if it was not already happening. We have been working for a better State and everyone knows their rights and duties. Those who don’t know will have to know. Who knew any Asha lakra four years ago other than the RSS people and ABVP workers where I come fromIJ Everyone gets his/her due there within time. I have got mine and will be working as usual without fear, without partiality and within my rights. But one thing is for sure, I wouldn’t allow any wrongdoing in front of me regardless I am a Mayor or a common citizen.