A leader with mass appeal and known for his attachment to youth, Sudesh Mahto, the chief of AJSU Party, is seeking to cash in on, what he believes, the deep resentment among Adivasis and Moolvasis against the Raghubar Das Government’s decision on the domicile policy and CNT-SPT Acts.
Though his party is an ally in the Government, he has been vocally opposing it and holding public meetings across the State. In a freewheeling interview, Sudesh shares his views on why he was opposing the Government decisions tooth and nail and still be part of the Government. Excerpts:
Q: Government says that the changes in laws will expedite the development projects. Your commentsIJ
A: There is no formula for ‘phataphat’ development. You can make speeches but can’t make development in a hurried manner. This model is not acceptable to us. You see, the Modi Government is running with a huge mandate and still it took two years to pass the GST Bill. They have still not been able to amend the land acquisition Act passed during the UPA Government. WhyIJ They are the experienced people. We can’t take such a crucial decision within three minutes in a democracy. We cannot cheat our people and shatter their faith which they reposed in us during elections. Government can’t run only on the basis of majority but with consensus (Kabhi bhi shashan karney wala sirf bahumat se nahi chalta hai, Sahmati se chalta hai.) If that is so, there will be no need for a Vidhan Sabha. Both Government and Opposition should not have avoided the debate in the Assembly.
PM Narendra Modi too, during electioneering, had assured that the tribals will not lose their land. Even Raghubar Das, in his first interview, had given a similar undertaking. So, what has changed in last two yearsIJ Public should know that their elected people took the decision in a serious manner.
President Pranab Mukherkee, senior BJP leader lK Advani too have stressed the importance of consensus when the Winter Session of Parliament was washed out. At least four BJP MPs have opposed the CNT-SPT Bill. The BJP MlAs have publicly registered their protests. Even the three-term CM Arjun Munda has cautioned the Government. Still, the Government did not pay heed to their views. It was like suppressing their voices in democracy.
I fail to understand why the Government only thinks the amendment was needed when nobody has raised any demand. Rather everybody has opposed it. Why are they gifting itIJ (Kyon uphar swarup saunp rahe hainIJ)
Q: What is the remedyIJ
A: We also want that development should take place. Were not roads, power substations, schools constructed and railway tracks laid under the existing lawsIJ Still, several options are available. We want that instead of opening the tribal-moolwasi land for sale, the laws should be simplified for granting the land on lease. This way, they will keep control of land and at the same time, development projects will also be expedited.
Q: You are part of the Government and still vociferously opposing decision on CNT-SPT Acts. WhyIJ
A: Soch ka fark hai (It’s a difference of vision). Had it been so, the ruling party MlAs would not have asked questions in the Assembly. It is our right. Shiv Sena, one of the big allies of the BJP, often registers its protests against the BJP government’s policy. Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu only yesterday criticised the latest decision on demonetisation. So, our protest is subject-specific.
Q: Next moveIJ
A: Our commitment is to a strong Government. We got the mandate for a strong Government. We are running a phase-wise protest. We have submitted a memorandum with 10 lakh signatures against the domicile policy to the Government. Our member in the Cabinet has registered his objections. We have made our stand clear in writing to the Government. We have apprised the Raj Bhawan and will now meet the President, Central Ministers and senior BJP leaders of the long-term disastrous impact of the land law changes. Besides, we are going to the people too.
Q: Your alliance with the BJPIJ
A: Our alliance is not with a particular party. Our alliance is with the faith of the people (Is rajya ke genuine biswas ke saath hai. Dal ke sath nahi hai). If faith is hurt then we are not with anyone, we are with the masses. (Agar biswas ko aghat lagega to hum kisi ke saath nahi hai, us samay public ke saath hain).
Q: Many say you will side with Nitish Kumar in 2019 polls
A: It is premature to speculate on it at this point of time. Political decisions are not taken on the basis of personal relations. We will take a political decision after judging the prevailing scenario.