Ranchi, Nov. 30: RJD state president Gautam Sagar Rana’s resolve to organise statewide demonstrations on December 18 against the state government’s alleged failure to implement the welfare projects found few takers today. His own party legislators and parliamentarians skipped the meeting.

The decision was taken by Rana at the party’s executive body meeting. Only district presidents and senior leaders participated in the meeting while party heavyweights skipped the meeting as some of them were too busy and some unwell.

The demonstration would be organised in all 24 district headquarters to protest against rampant corruption and irregularities in implementing the welfare schemes. RJD legislator Annapurna Devi said she was unwell so could not participate in the meeting while other legislators and parliamentarians pretended to be “too busy”.

But, undeterred by the “indifferent” attitude of his party heavyweights, Rana said: “I have decided to go alone.” He alleged large-scale irregularities in housing schemes for the poor such as Indira Awas Yojana and Food For All project. Corruption was rampant in implementing the NREGS, he added.

“It is immaterial who is leading the government in the state. Even if it were an RJD-led government, I wouldn’t have changed my stand on corruption. I cannot remain a mute spectator to corruption and injustice,” said Rana. However, the RJD leader also thanked the Soren government for putting a curb on the lottery business in the state.

The RJD members condoled the death of former Prime Minister V.P. Singh and of those killed in Mumbai terror attacks.

Preparations for the next Lok Sabha and Assembly elections and strengthening of party organisations too prominently figured during the discussion.

The district presidents were directed to complete the appointment of panchayat unit chiefs by the end of this year. “Otherwise, they will be removed automatically from their existing positions,” the leader said.