Once again the State Congress came in news for wrong reasons when its internal feud came out on the street. The introductory and inaugural meeting of the newly constituted Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee (JPCC), as expected, remained stormy and tumultuous in the presence of AICC members BK Hariprasad and Tarachand Bhagora.
Disgruntled faction of Ajay Rai, who has been ousted from the party un-ceremonially, stole the show before the meeting started on Friday. Handful of his supporters raising slogans like ‘Sukhdeo Hatao-Congress Bachao’ against State Congress president Sukhdeo Bhagat demanded his re-induction into the party. They, while holding placards and party flag hackled with the PCC chief’s faction just outside the Assembly auditorium, the venue of the meeting. later police had to be called to handle the situation when it worsened further.
The pandemonium even delayed the formal opening of the meeting. It is said that the group has backing of at least two of the party MlAs which possesses only seven members in the House of 81. Congress’ Jamtara MlA Irfan Ansari and Manoj Kumar Yadav of Barhi have already upped the ante against Bhagat alleging him for indulging into corrupt practices and anti-party activities.
“Both the MlAs were also present during the pandemonium. later, BK Hariprasad called them in for a separate huddle before the scheduled start. The leaders blamed the PCC chief for ignoring leaders from their groups in the new Committee and for working in autocratic manner besides several other allegations,” general secretary in the JPCC Alok Dubey quipped. Congress leader in the House Alamgir Alam and senior leader Subodh Kant Sahay were also present during the consultation.
Insiders of the party present in the meeting informed that a senior party leader and former Union Minister had been fueling the affair and anti-Sukhdeo sentiments present in the State Congress.
“He has been playing dual game and inciting the rebel faction against the State Congress president. Even Hariprasad told the leaders that everyone cannot be accommodated into the Committee. The activities have not gone down well with the party high command and have been in bad taste,” said he adding the new panel had had the approval of the party central leadership.
However despite the worrying activities and open defiance the party is unsure about taking action against the leaders. “Things would be looked into and the party high command would initiate appropriate step in this direction. Everything is out in open,” said the PCC president in his brief reply.
Nevertheless considering party’s track record any disciplinary action against the foul mouth leaders is unlikely considering already eroding strength of the Congress in the present circumstances. Similar scuffle leading to even firing had taken place right at the Congress Bhawan few years back and at that time as well BK Hariprasad was present.
As a face saver, the Committee passed five resolutions aimed to oppose amendments in SPT-CNT Act, Sarna code, FRA patta, decision to take back GM land from the setters and few others.