Feeling spring into its feet, the JMM has pocked the ruling BJP by terming the littipara defeat as denouncement of its policies by the people. The party went on saying that the defeat could not be averted even after using entire Government machinery and tactics.
JMM executive president Hemant Soren, calling a press conference soon after the final result was declared, sought resignation from Chief Minister Raghubar Das. “The result has come at the time when the Government was committing several misdeeds in the form of CNT-SPT amendments, domicile policy and so on. The result is a referendum against those and against Raghubar Das, his anti-moolvasi, adivasi character,” said Soren thanking his party workers for repeating the history.
He went on charging the Government for misusing its machinery and even then losing the bypoll. “Entire system, Government set-up, its senior bureaucrats were active in the election. Senior officials were working as BJP workers. They even brought the Prime Minister there, made him open incomplete works, distribute phones and distribute job letters. Ministers were distributing ration there only. All these tactics were used to deviate the voters but in vein. I believe, the Chief Minister should resign immediately,” said the loP.
When asked about the party’s continuous objection to the EVMs and their neutrality, the JMM leader said that their persisting vigil and use of VVPAT machines made them transparent. “Even then their people sitting in the system tried their best. Around 50 EVMs malfunctioned and at several places the polling started very late. Had it been completely fair and free from Government’s conspiracy, the BJP would have lost its deposit,” said Soren.
He denied credit to other parties in Opposition for doing fielding for the JMM during the poll. “There was no formal word on alliance and those had a clear stand against the Government and its policies supported us,” said Soren. He also displayed his blueprint for future. “We don’t work for drumbeats. Our goal is to show this dictator Government its right place. People would respond in befitting manner to the Government in future as well,” said the leader.
Congress also sang in similar tune when its State president Sukhdeo Bhagat termed the steps taken by the BJP-headed Government against the prestige of Jharkhand. “The amendments done in the CNT-SPT Acts were against the respect of the people from the State. That is the reason why they have rejected the Government during all the polls taken place recently and also at littipara,” said the PCC chief. JVM, that has also fielded its candidate into the election, has said critised the Government for its wrong polices and termed it arrogant.
On the other the BJP played down the loss. “We had expected this considering the backwardness of the constituency and entire Santhal Pargana region. The parties that were indulged into maintaining the status quo on development front managed to win this time as well. Now they should work for development of littipara on priority. We would continue with our struggle,” said BJP spokesperson Praveen Prabhakar.