Congress in a fix over minister’s ‘Bihari-Marwari’ statement

Cong spokesperson Dr Ajoy Kumar has asked state finance minister and party president Dr Rameshwar Oraon to apologise for his recent remark

JAMSHEDPUR: With the Congress landing in a catch-22 situation over the state finance minister and party president Dr Rameshwar Oraon’s recent ‘Biharis and Marwaris’ statement, the party’s spokesperson Dr Ajoy

Kumar has asked the minister to apologise for the same.

However, state Congress working president Keshav Mahato Kamlesh defended Oraon here on Sunday, saying that the statement was being quoted in the wrong context. “I was also present at the function at Ramgarh where Dr Oroan made the statement. He said that while once tribals were dominating two cities of Imphal and Ranchi, their population has declined drastically in Ranchi because outsiders have settled in the city, while tribals were still the dominant population in Imphal,” Mahato said.

On the other hand, another state Congress working president Rajesh Thakur said the state party president ought to clarify his statement. “Since it was his statement, he should give the explanation,” he said.

Congress spokesperson Dr

Ajoy Kumar, on the other hand, categorically said Dr Oroan’s statement could be his own individual opinion as it was not Congress’

ideology. “Congress believes in inclusion and not breaking … our party is for Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Christians and all other brothers. Dr Oraon’s statement is exactly the opposite of Congress’ ideology and hurts the party’s soul,” he said in a statement issued late Saturday night.

He said Biharis and Marwaris have contributed greatly in the development of Jharkhand, though there is always scope and need for development among tribals and moolvasis (original residents) in the state. “But, Congress wants development of all castes and communities. If the party’s state president has given such a statement, he should publicly apologise without delay,” said Dr Ajoy.

Meanwhile, when asked to comment on the matter, Congress leader and state health minister Banna Gupta said on Sunday that the Congress state chief was an experienced politician and he himself was the most suitable person to comment on the matter. “I would not like to comment on Dr Oraon’s statement. But, Congress’ ideology is to take everyone along, respect all religions and communities and take the country on the path of development, while ensuring participation of all,” he said.

Fuming over the issue, the JD-U burnt effigy of Dr Oraon at Sakchi Birsa Munda Chowk in Jamshedpur on Saturday, demanding a public apology from him.

{ DR AJOY KUMAR } CONGRESS SPOKESPERSON Dr Oraon’s statement is exactly the opposite of Congress’ ideology and hurts the party’s soul.