Babulal Marandi: All praises

Hazaribagh, Aug. 31: Babulal Marandi today set the mood for his campaign for the approaching state Assembly elections by asking voters to recall his 28-month stint as a chief minister while exercising the franchise.

The JVM(P) chief also asked them to compare his performance with that of his successors, Arjun Munda, Madhu Koda and Shibu Soren. Marandi, who arrived in the district today under his janadesh yatra programme, was speaking at a news meet at Circuit House.

Lauding himself, Marandi said: “My 28-month tenure as a chief minister was free from corruption. Development work was also taken up in full swing.”

He said that his successors had failed to rein in the bureaucrats who got involved in corrupt practices. “I had given a free hand to the vigilance department — a move that helped to keep corruption in check. The situation did not change under the President’s rule,” he added.

Cautioning the people to make a wise choice, he said: “I urge you to select your representatives this time keeping in mind the past nine years,” Marandi said.

On the drought scenario, he demanded formation of an all-party committee that would keep a close watch on the public distribution system. He asked the state to arrange five-day-a-week work for farmers and labourers. Regarding price rise, he said that it could be addressed by distributing ration cards and supplying foodgrain to all.

He said that if the state failed to meet his party’s demands before October 9, he would call a statewide bandh on October 10.