Following the humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, opposition parties have started holding extensive protests against the ruling Government’s alleged failure in providing civic amenities and security to the people of Jharkhand. With assembly elections slated later this year, the growing protests may help the parties garner support of voters on road to polls.
Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee (JPCC) on Saturday gheraoed Ranchi Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office to protest against the poor condition of electricity and water supply in the cities. The party held a protest march in every district headquarters on direction of State Congress Chief Ajoy Kumar.
The party workers blocked the road for almost two hours in front of DC’s office, shouted anti-government slogans and held public meetings.
Ranchi Urban District Congress Committee president Sanjay Pandey led the march in Ranchi. Addressing the public meeting, Pandey said that incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led State Government and Urban Development minister have failed in providing electricity, water and better law and order for the people of the State capital. “Urban Development Minister and Ranchi legislator C P Singh has already accepted his failure in developing the city. He has accepted his failure in ensuring better traffic facilities and law and order situation,” said Pandey.
He added that the rules laid down by the constitution of India give the power to public representatives to take actions for betterment of people, but the current legislators and parliamentarians have forgotten about their duties.
Just after the declaration of Lok Sabha election results Congress held a review meeting to ponder over defeat in the elections. During the meeting it was decided that the party will raise issues of poor condition of basic amenties like water and electricity.
On June 19, miffed over poor supply of electricity and water in the State Capital, a large number of party workers of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) staged protest near Ranchi DC’s office. Hundreds of women party workers came to DC’s office carrying earthen water pots on their heads in protest of water crisis. They shouted slogans against the Government and demanded water and electricity supply.
Addressing the gathering, JMM Mahila Morcha president Mahua Maji said, “We can talk on development only when we will provide basic amenities like water, electricity, education and better health services to the people of Jharkhand. But the State Government has completely failed in providing basic amenities to the people of Jharkhand.”
A delegation of Ranchi District JMM led by JMM District president Mustaq Alam met Ranchi Land Reforms District Collector, Manoj Ranjan and submitted an 11 point memorandum.