J’khand guv hails Vajpayee for state’s creation, CM Soren credits his father
RANCHI: Jharkhand governor Ramesh Bais and chief minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday shared the dais to celebrate the 22nd foundation day of the state assembly, amid a tussle between Raj Bhavan and the state government over the profit of office row surrounding Soren’s mining lease.
During the event, Bais thanked former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the creation of Jharkhand, while Soren said the state came into existence following a movement spearheaded by his father and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) patriarch Shibu Soren.
“On this occasion, I would like to remember Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee and thank him for having honoured the expectations of people and creating Jharkhand in order to meet their aspirations,” Bais said. Expressing concern over a reduction in the number of legislature sittings, Bais said it was time for self-introspection.
“The legislators need to contribute towards improving the image of the house. The decreasing number of assembly sittings and increasing disruptions in house proceedings is a worrying aspect…,” he said.
Soren, who also addressed the gathering, said Jharkhand came into existence after a long struggle.
“The people of this area, including tribals, dalits and the poor, have long been exploited. Several freedom fighters, including Birsa Munda, Chand and Bhairav, Nilamber and Pitamber, fought against the British. Our social struggle continued even after Independence and after a long movement led by guruji Shibu Soren, the state was created in 2000,” he said.
Soren also said the assembly is a temple of democracy where the ruling party and the Opposition have an equal role to play.
“All MLAS, including those from ruling and Opposition benches, are equally responsible. Both need to work together for betterment of the poor, tribals and the exploited ones,” he said.
The Raj Bhavan and the state government are locked in a tussle over the office of profit row surrounding Soren’s mining lease. Almost three months have passed and the governor is yet to act on the Election Commission (EC) opinion in the matter.
On November 15, Bais skipped a statehood day function despite being invited as chief guest, a day after Soren moved the HC, seeking direction to restrain the former acting on the EC’S opinion.