Amid controversies surrounding NRC in Assam and demand to have similar exercise in Jharkhand as well, the principal Opposition party in the State Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) fired a fresh salvo demanding it to be conducted on political lines.
Clearly aiming at Chief Minister Raghubar Das, whom the party labels as an ‘outsider’, party General Secretary cum Spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said that the Government should identify every outsider coming to the State.
“We are in the favour of the NRC and believe that every non-Indian should be thrown out of the country. But the exercise should begin in Jharkhand from implementing the 1932 khatian and identifying those who came here from other States. Once you mark those then the foreigners would automatically be segregated and can be sent out,” said Bhattacharya on Wednesday addressing a press conference.
He, at the same time, also cautioned the Government against looking at the issue through religious prism while alleging the ruling BJP for doing exactly the same. Bhattacharya also questioned about keeping the international borders porous allowing outsiders to infiltrate.
He also rapped the government over religious conversion issue and demanded implementation of Sarna code. “If the Government implements Sarna code the whole controversy about religious conversion would die down. They are just doing polarisation politics. As far as forceful conversions are concerned which they claim are taking place in Jharkhand, there are provisions into the CrPC to book such persons. It should be kept in mind that the Constitution guarantees everyone to chose religion of his choice and also propagate that,” said the JMM general secretary.
At the same time the party clarified its stand over by-poll expected in the next few months at Kolebira Assembly constituency and said that the JMM would field its candidate over there. “We have strong support base there and would contest. Before making any name public our senior party leaders would consult other alliance partners. JMM has performed excellently in all the by-polls taken place in the State on different occasions. Out contesting the by-poll is not the matter of dispute,” said he advocating for installation of VVPAT machines with every EVM to be used in future polls.
Coming to the CM, Bhattacharya demanded a while paper on the expenses came over organising events such as ‘Momentum Jharkhand’ and other investor summits.
“He is acting for the welfare of corporate houses at the cost of public money. latest event was organised on Tuesday by Jharcraft where the CM cat-walked on the ramp with models. Everything there was outsourced by an outsider CM,” said the leader citing outbreak of vector borne diseases currently have spread in Ranchi and other parts of the State.