Irrespective of mixed reaction to Jagannathpur MlA Geeta Koda’s entry into the Congress, Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Sukhdeo Bhagat sounded decisive on the issue. Virtually snubbing the inference about her tainted family background, Bhagat expressed hopes that Madhu Koda’s wife coming into the Congress would benefit the party in electoral terms.
Bhagat said, “She belongs to the Ho community of Kolhan division. As a secular party, we certainly want representation of all and accommodate everyone. We thought that as she has dully applied and whenever someone gets attached you are benefited.”
His opinion holds significance when senior Congress leader and Union Minister Jairam Ramesh had objected to entry of persons like Madhu Koda and others associated with him. Incidentally, Ramesh, along with in-charge of Jharkhand BK Hariprasad, will arrive here on Friday to review organisational affairs in the State in the run-up to the upcoming lS polls.
Explaining the logic behind the decision over Geeta’s entry, the PCC chief said decision about Koda’s wife had reached the final stages. “We see from that angle (benefits to the party). Her induction into the party has been agreed upon by and large. Our in-change is coming tomorrow (Friday) and after getting his nod, she would join the party,” he said in an exclusive talk with The Pioneer on Thursday. Not only “winnable candidates” like Geeta, the Congress is also eyeing for more such leaders in the State in days to come. “Yes, there are leaders who are in touch with us. They include some present and former MlAs, former MPs, some IAS officers, who have taken voluntary retirement,” said Bhagat.
Talking about central Congress leaders’ agenda for the tour, the PCC president said that they would be here to ensure proper implementation of UPA’s dream projects such as the land Acquisition Act, Food Security Act and other welfare schemes. “Ministers would also be assigned responsibilities in their respective divisions for lok Sabha polls. Strategies to reach the people with our achievements would also be looked into,” he added.
On poll strategy, the PPC president said that party workers needed to pull up their shocks to take good works of the party to the voters. “10-4 formula would come into consideration to keep secular forces intact,” said Bhagat. Jairam Ramesh and Hariprasad would also take part meeting of alliance partners called by Chief Minister Hemant Soren on January 4.
On domicile policy being discussed by a special panel, the State Congress chief said, “The Congress wants a practical policy which protects welfare of all. But in its nucleus, purpose of Jharkhand formation must be there. It is good that the panel has been set up to see things in totality by studying policies adopted by neighbouring states and take into consideration the different views.”