The Opposition swung into action on Wednesday and sought Chief Minister Raghubar Das’ resignation after the Election Commission’s letter to the State’s Chief Secretary Rajbala Verma for taking action against ADG (Special Branch) Anurag Gupta and the then Political Advisor (now Press Advisor) of the CM Ajay Kumar became public.
The EC in its letter, sent to the Chief Secretary a week back with regards to the Rajya Sabha elections held last year, has found the duo prima facie guilty for ‘misusing their official positions, interference in elections and breach of conduct/service rules’. The Commission, in the letter issued on June 13, also directed the Chief Secretary to initiate proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Sections 171B and 171C of IPC. The Opposition parties have also demanded resignation from Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Mahesh Poddar, who had been elected in the biennial elections.
“It is now clear that the Government machinery was misused to influence the voting during Rajya Sabha elections. This also indicates involvement of Chief Minister Raghubar Das, so he must resign immediately from his post along with the two MPs,” said leader of Opposition Hemant Soren. An FIR must also be lodged immediately against the two accused persons for misusing their official positions, interference in elections and breach of conduct or service rules, he added.
“Both of them must also be dismissed as they could influence everything while remaining in office,” said Soren. “The two officials have been acting as musclemen of the State Government for the last three years and there are instances where the poor and innocent tribals were oppressed in Hazaribagh, Bundu, Gola and Pirtand,” he added.
“I will go to Home Minister to press my demand,” Soren said.
Meanwhile, State Congress President Sukhdeo Bhagat, talking to media persons at the party office also demanded the CM’s resignation or they will approach President and the Vice President.
“Hiding such a letter is the height of dirty politics by the party in power. The letter by Election Commission of India reaffirms our claims of unlimited use of money and muscle powers by the Government during the Rajya Sabha elections last year. The letter also mentions ‘others’ in conspiracy and we believe those ‘others’ must be CM Raghubar Das and elected MPs Mahesh Poddar and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi against whom we want action to be taken,” said Bhagat.
Bhagat also added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi always harps on zero tolerance for corruption, hence he must seek resign from both the MPs and the CM as well, otherwise the party would knock at the doors of President of India and the Vice President.
Notably, the EC took cognizance on the basis of complaints filed by JVM president Babulal Marandi with CDs of purported phone calls of Gupta and Kumar alleging interference in the exercise of electoral rights of some of the electors during Rajya Sabha Elections. The EC has also asked the CS to keep it informed about the action taken and progress from time to time.