Jharkand: CPI(M) Reviews Situation

THE Jharkhand state secretariat of the CPI(M) met under the chairmanship of  Hajendra Singh Munda on  April 15 and, besides taking some organisational decisions, took stock of the prevailing political situation in the state. With the exit of Babulal Marandi from the office of the chief minister and induction of Arjun Munda in the same position, former chief minister and a number of his cabinet colleagues have been trading corruption charges against each other, giving the media material for their headlines. Now, it is being said that Marandi is in possession of some videotape as proof of corruption of his former cabinet colleagues who still occupy ministerial births in the Arjun Munda government. When such allegations come from the horse’s mouth, a prima facie case for investigation definitely exists.

In order to refurbish its image, the BJP is planning to get rid of the tainted faces in the party. In these circumstances, the state secretariat of the CPI(M) has demanded a CBI probe into the allegations of corruption against the members of the Marandi and Arjun Munda governments. The secretariat has also decided to submit a memorandum to the governor demanding CBI probe into these corruption charges.

The secretariat also took serious note of the delaying tactics being adopted by the Arjun Munda government to postpone the panchayat elections on the pretext of bringing amendments to get rid of some shortcomings in the panchayati raj act in a special session of the assembly. While the CPI(M) is in favour of removal of these lacunae to make the panchayats more powerful and democratic, it is totally opposed to any postponement of panchayat elections on this pretext. The party has demanded immediate holding of panchayat elections on party symbols, at all levels.

The state secretariat viewed with serious concern the activities of the new chief secretary who, instead of limiting his role of advising the elected government when asked for, has tried to usurp the role of the political leaders and parties by indulging in activities like holding Janata Darbar. This bids ill for the health of democracy. Bureaucracy must act within the confines of the role assigned to it.

The state secretariat also noted that in the wake of the naked aggression on Iraq by the USA and Britain, an anti-war and anti-imperialist sentiment has swept through the entire state and the country. After the Indian parliament adopted a resolution on the issues, the USA has been issuing veiled threats to India about raking up the Kashmir issue. The state secretariat, therefore, urged the people and all party units, members, and supporters to continue the anti-war and anti-imperialist campaign with renewed vigour. (INN)