Ranchi, Jan. 12: Faced with criticism from within and outside his government, chief minister Raghubar Das today urged political colleagues to provide constructive criticism at appropriate forums, his guarded rebuttal aimed at predecessor Arjun Munda, cabinet colleague Saryu Roy and BJP's recalcitrant ally Ajsu who have not lost any opportunity to confront him on various issues ranging from the amendments of tribal tenancy laws to renewal of mining leases.
" Swastha rajniti mein matbhed to hota hi rahta hai, lekin manbhed nahin ho yeh sunishchit kiya jana chaihiye (In healthy politics, ideological differences do crop up every now and then, but it should be ensured that the hearts of comrades always remain united)," Das told The Telegraph a day after Roy made public his disaffection with the chief minister for ignoring objections to mining lease renewals of 105 companies and Ajsu came out with a damning report on the government's two years in office.
As if on cue, Munda too expressed his apprehension at yesterday's BJP working committee meeting, claiming that the confusion over the amendments had provided a weapon in the hands of the Opposition to create fear and apprehension among tribals. "The amendments to the age-old CNT and SPT acts are a sensitive issue and the government should have clarified the entire process, which it had not done so far," Munda said.
Today, the chief minister not only warned detractors who spread "false propaganda", but also sought to project a conciliatory face while explaining the process behind bringing in the amendments that are expected to make it easier to acquire tribal land for specific public utility projects without diluting private ownership rights.
The amendments, he said, were brought about with the consent of all party MLAs and senior leaders and before that, opinions of representatives of various sections of society were also sought. The BJP high command too was adequately briefed when the amendment bills were tabled in the Assembly, and yesterday, the state unit BJP executive body also endorsed them, Das explained.
"I am also ready to withdraw the amendments if they do not yield positive results. But the moot question is that when the amended laws have not yet come into force, how can we even begin to assess their outcome? Our intentions are fair."
"Safeguarding the interests of poor tribals is our prime motto. And I am not fighting for my personal prestige," Das said.
Das said the issues on mining lease renewals raised by parliamentary affairs minister Saryu Roy through his open letter would be given careful consideration, but noted that the letter had kindled unwarranted controversy and given teeth to those who were trying to destabilise the state government through false propaganda.
"I agree that the nature and signature of an individual never changes. But a seasoned politician and disciplined BJP worker should also carefully assess the long-term implication of his public moves. These objections should have been raised at an appropriate forum. At the executive body meeting too, participants aired their views on wide-ranging issues in their own way. Does that mean there is no unity within the BJP?" Das argued.
On the Ajsu's report card, he said all were welcome to critically analyse the performances of his government and suggest corrective measures.
"My government is doing its best to steer the state towards prosperity. My government has no malice against anyone. I am a God-fearing man. I hail from a very poor family. I have no lust for this chair. But, let me reassure all those who are indulging in false propaganda against my government, that they will stand thoroughly exposed soon. They will not find a place to hide their faces," the chief minister signed off.
Additional reporting by Animesh Bisoee in Jamshedpur
