Recent incidents of police firing on tribal and non-tribal agitators in different parts of the State have not only handed over a tool in the hands of Opposition leaders but have also left the BJP tribal legislators uncomfortable.
The legislators, especially coming from the constituencies where such confrontations have taken place are finding it tough to face their voters and supporters.
Though the discomfort is evident, not many are willing to come on the record to get it registered at the present moment considering any possible backlash from the party and also from the Government.
"What I feel that genuine and democratic protests should not be dealt with gun. We should have listened to their voices and respond in an equally democratic manner. Their demands and agitations may have been fuelled and misguided ones but only a suitable answer to that and exposing the conspiracy behind can do any better for the party in future," said a BJP legislator.
Another leader while presenting examples of recent police firings on agitated mob at Khunti and also those sitting on a dharna at Barkagaon of Hazaribagh and Gola of Ramgarh said that the high handedness on the part of the police was uncalled for.
"The situation could have been handled differently. There was no need to stop people from going to a rally in such a manner. This has provided a tool to the parties like JVM, Congress. The Government has taken several good steps like recruitments, Gram Sabha meetings, dova construction etc which are being overshadowed by all these incidents," said a party MP who has on different occasions questioned the functioning of the Raghubar Das Government.
A section of leaders in the BJP is also weighing their options to take what is a Catch-22 situation for them to the party senior leaders. "If all continue in a similar fashion we would approach the party leadership for a damage control. Regular incidents are eroding the party base and hitting the mandate given to us by the masses, including tribals. We are being projected as anti-tribal, anti-local by our rivals. I believe the Government should sit with the groups and resolve their grievances through a dialogue," said a noted tribal face in the Assembly who has raised his voice with few others against the amendments proposed in the CNT-SPT provisions through Ordinance.
No wonder, the Government is in a damage control mode. "We are taking note of it and soon the Government would talk to the groups. They should also understand that the steps taken are in the larger interest of the State and they should not play into the hands of the opportunist leaders for petty gains. We would act as per the probe report coming about the incidents," said land Revenue and Sports Minister Amar Kumar Bauri.