Politicians by heart and that’s why by the deed—politician chairpersons and chairperson turned politicians are sweating out in fields these days than to spend time in their respective offices. With aspirations running higher, responsibilities and duties as the head of the state-run organisations have taken back seat during the Assembly elections in Jharkhand.
Despite knowing that contesting elections essentially means veering in constituencies, chairpersons chose to stick to the post rather than to allow the state government to hand over the reins to someone else to let the organizations maintain its sanctity by upholding the principles on which the organization stand and functions.
“Summoning people for hearing during elections is a difficult task as summon is served through local police stations that remain busy because of elections. So, no hearing takes place during election. Nonetheless, there are other people to make sure that work doesn’t hamper in my absence,” said Chairperson of Jharkhand State Commission for Women, Mahua Maji.
The Chairperson of JSCW had reportedly asserted to maintain equilibrium after getting nominated by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) as the candidate for Ranchi Assembly constituency barely after few days of bracing the party.
“No, he has not come since the model code of conduct came into effect. We have not seen him in office for about over a month,” said an official of Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation (JSMDC) about its Chairman Bidesh Singh.
Singh, a sitting MlA from Panki and an independent turned Congressman is busy in election campaign in his constituency. The flamboyant politician from Panki who is credited with restoring operations of Sikni coal mines has not been in action at the corporation’s office since second week of October. Chairman of Teneughat Vidyut Nigam ltd, Chamra linda could not be contacted to know his attendance at the corporation’s office.
Even as the chairpersons are skipping offices, relinquishing responsibility did not come to their mind. The safeguard is inherently built in the system which doesn’t seek resignation until a chairperson becomes suitable for another ‘office of profit’ which again calls for clarification of the term.
“They (chairpersons) have been nominated by their parties and until they are elected it is not binding upon them to resign from their posts for contesting elections,” said an advocate of Jharkhand High Court, Rajiv Kumar.
Notably, the chairpersons of the three State controlled institutions joined political parties after the election schedules for Jharkhand were announced.