Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday dismissed Rural Development Minister Chandrashekhar Dubey alias Dadai Dubey, who had recently described him as the "most corrupt chief minister in the history of Jharkhand".
The Chief Minister’s action, which may have serious political fallout during the ongoing Budget session, came after the Congress leadership failed to persuade Dubey to quit on his own. Governor Syed Ahmed gave his approval to the recommendation of CM for removal of Dubey, who was not happy with his portfolios from the very beginning. He had embarrassed the Hemant Government several times and all efforts of the Congress leadership had failed to rein in the ‘errant’ Minister.
Apparently disowned by the Congress, Dubey was in charge of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ministries under the Congress quota in the JMM led coalition government in the state and “wanted high-budget departments’. “A coalition Government is being run in the State.... issue of Dubey was extensively discussed among the coalition partners and we reached at a consensus that Chandrashekher Dubey must be sacked,” said Soren while talking to the media at the Assembly premises. The decision has been taken after taking every coalition partner into confidence, the CM said.
“We consulted the Congress leaders and Dubey was asked to quit by 10.30 a.m. When he did not quit… the CM recommended his dismissal to Governor,” JMM core committee member Vinod Pandey said. Infuriated Dubey, on the other hand, left for Delhi to consult the Congress high command and warned Hemant that the countdown of his Government has begun as he can topple the Government any time. “From today Hemant Soren should count his days as the people of Jharkhand will answer him for the act. I can topple the government any time as and when I like,” said Dubey.
“I am going to Delhi to ask the High Command whether I am still in the party and will also try to find out on whose indication I was sacked,” added Dubey.Meanwhile, the Opposition called the decision taken in a hurry to suppress those leaders who want to speak the truth and raise their voice against corruption. Dubey too had to pay the price for speaking out truth and he must quit the Congress party immediately, said former Speaker CP Singh.
“The decision has been taken in a hurry as the government did not want that the issue of corruption is raised by anybody, Dubey only tried to speak out the truth and they sacked him. There is dearth of upright people in the Congress,” said JVM MlA Pradeep Yadav. Whereas, AJSU chief Sudesh Mahto said, “It is their prerogative to take decision about any minister but it should also be made clear before the people the reasons for the chief minister to dismiss his minister.”
Opposition leaders indicated that Dubey had been sacked for speaking against rampant corruption in the Soren regime, especially in the mining, land and liquor businesses. State BJP president Ravindra Rai demanded a high-level probe into the allegations made by Dubey against the CM. “Dismissal of Dadai Dubey might be the discretion of the CM. But the allegations against the CM being the most corrupt one should be clarified before the people of the State. The CM is himself embroiled in corruption charges and it should be investigated. Governor should take suo motu cognisance of the issue and dismiss the whole cabinet,” Rai said.
Hemant sacks errant Cong Minister
According to party insiders, Dubey had been given several chances by senior leaders to restrain his attacks on the government and the CM in particular but he continued targeting Soren. A decision to sack Dubey was taken in Delhi after which he was given adequate time to resign and when he did not put in his papers before 10 am on Wednesday -- the deadline given to him to resign -- Soren recommended to the Governor to sack him from the ministerial post. “We welcome the much awaited decision, which has been taken after consulting all the coalition partners,” said JMM spokesperson Vinod Pandey. JMM workers had also appealed Soren to dismiss Dubey. Just before coming to the Assembly to attend the budget session, Soren faxed the letter regarding the sacking of Dubey to Raj Bhawan.