As Opp targets Marandi, NDA stands by him

Jharkhand Governor M. Rama Jois’s maiden address to the Assembly today was drowned out by Opposition members shouting slogans demanding...

Jharkhand Governor M. Rama Jois’s maiden address to the Assembly today was drowned out by Opposition members shouting slogans demanding the removal of Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, who is facing a rebellion from own Cabinet members.

The five dissident ministers showed no signs of backing out, though they did share seats with BJP legislators in the House. Cornered by mediapersons outside, who reminded the five that they had threatened to topple the Marandi government by today if the BJP high command didn’t dismiss him, Lalchand Mahato said: ‘‘We have given the BJP two more days. If it still decides not to meet our demand, we will be free to talk with the Opposition to find an alternative to Marandi.’’

It wasn’t an empty threat as Marandi enjoys a wafer-thin majority in the House and the decision of the five — apart from the JD(U)’s Mahato, the Samata Party’s Madhu Singh, Ramesh Singh Munda, Jaleshwar Mahato and Bachha Singh — to cross over could prove crucial.

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However, there were two positive developments for the beleaguered CM. An NDA meeting held at Marandi’s house today and attended by BJP and its allies unanimously endorsed a resolution supporting him as the NDA leader. The five dissident ministers and a United Goa Democratic Party MLA, Joba Manjhi, stayed away.

The other good news for Marandi was on the police front. While Jharkhand Policemen Association (JPA) members decided to continue their strike over a six-point charter of demands for four more days last night, it was clear Marandi was winning the war of wits.

Dejection prevailed at JPA president Ramchandra Pandey’s two-room house today, where he sat surrounded by a dozen-odd constables and havildars as hundreds of others loitered outside. Pandey is among the four policemen suspended on various charges since the JPA members went on five-day enmasse leave. Today was to be the concluding day. JPA Secretary Jeetendra Hansda has parted ways with Pandey, saying he saw no reason to continue the strike.

Ten kilometres away at the state secretariat, a Jharkhand Armed Police van carrying six constables, wearing uniforms and holding rifles, was back on duty. ‘‘We can’t disobey our boss, so we joined duty,’’ said Gurung Thapa, a Constable. DGP R.R. Prasad claimed cops had begun to join duty in Naxalite-infested areas of Chatra, Hazaribagh, Latehar, Garhwa and Palamau.