Delhi Chief Minister designate Arvind Kejriwal, who has set an example for the 'Netas' by refusing to take the security cover and 'lalbatti', has not been able to inspire ministers in Jharkhand. Most of the ministers here believe that moving without security and beacon lights on their vehicles could never be a certificate for honesty. They are not ready to give up the privileges for which, they automatically become eligible, being a minister.
"Moving on roads without security and beacon fitted vehicle does not prove you to be an honest person. A minister needs security to be alive. Moreover, this is an issue of protocol, which must be followed according to the provisions under law," said labour Minister Chandrashekher Dubey. "Merely shunning our privileges does not prove us to be an honest person. Whatever is being done by Kejriwal is wrong," added Dubey. This will not be going to benefit the government in any way, he added.
Excise Minister Jai Prakash Bhai Patel, who was recently in controversy for allegedly favouring CPI (Maoists) by getting the arms of his security guards stolen while they were fast asleep at a guest house in Hazaribagh, directly said that he will not shun the privileges given to him by the Constitution. "I will not shun the privileges I am getting as a minister. If I am eligible for the facilities being provided by the government, then why not avail themIJ" asked Patel. "Kejriwal is doing politics in Delhi, we do our own politics here, in Jharkhand," he added.
Tourism and Urban Development Minister Suresh Paswan, on the other hand, is in favour of moving on foot but at the same time, he also thinks of the development of the State. "Is there anyone, who could assure me that just by moving on foot will bring development for this State, if so, then I am ready to do that," said Paswan. Surely, it will waste time and energy of the ministers leading the state further towards backwardness," he added.
According to Paswan, Aaam Aadmi Party having a different symbol -- broom, is also trying to cast itself in a different way, as per its name. let's see how differently they can perform on the ground, Paswan said. Power Minister Rajendra Singh also said that such steps are being taken by Kajriwal to shift people's attention from the main issue. "let Kejriwal exempt the electricity bill first..... He will get to know the truth within three months," Singh said.
But, Agriculture Minister Yogendra Sao, also known for having a different attitude and making fierce statements has welcomed Kejriwal's decision. "I support Kejriwal for taking such a brave decision and would also like to do the same while moving in Ranchi city, but it would not be safe for us to move without security guards outside the capital city," said Sao. It would not be safe to do so for us as it would be suicidal for any politician to do that, he added.
Sao cited several examples of politicians like - Sunil Mahto, Ramesh Singh Munda, Anoop Marandi and Mahendra Singh, who have been killed in their constituencies. He said even police are not safe, then how can a politician, most of them living in remote Maoists affected areas, can move freely without any security.
Notably, what ministers are enjoying here is still a dream for their counterparts in others states. A pilot vehicle and an escort jeep always provide the necessary security cushion to each of the ministers whenever they wish to take the road. The exceptionally high security level would give an impression that ministers and bureaucrats in Jharkhand — one of the less-developed states — are perhaps the most "unsafe" in the country. “A Minister having threat to his life may get enhanced security," ADG (Special Branch) Rezi Dungdung said.