Ranchi, March 4: The Left has termed the drama surrounding Jharkhand Party?s Enos Ekka and his ?captivity? in Jaipur as a ?mockery of democracy?. But ally Laloo Prasad Yadav is equally vigilant that the flock of seven RJD MLAs does not stray into the rival?s arms.
Sources said, Laloo Prasad is keeping a close watch on the activities of the seven legislators from Patna. Senior RJD leader Yogendra Baitha said, ?It?s not necessary for him to be present in Ranchi to keep an eye on our political activities.?
All decisions, big and small, have to be okayed by the Patna power centre, sources said. For example, Videsh Singh, newly elected MLA of Panki met Shibu Soren at his residence this afternoon ? a move that was orchestrated by Laloo Prasad, said a party leader waiting outside the residence of the chief minister. After becoming a minister, Koderma MLA Annapurna Devi has never failed to speak to the RJD chief every day. Laloo Prasad has promised a meaty portfolio for the third-time legislator, said a family member. The RJD chief has demanded another minister in the UPA council besides powerful portfoilios once Soren clears the confidence test.
The Left, on the other hand, has kept up its criticism of the NDA. CPM state secretary Gnan Shankar Mazumdar was concerned about the restrictions being imposed on Ekka?s movement by the NDA. ?We are not concerned whether Ekka was kidnapped or not. We are also not sure if his statements are voluntary or made under pressure. That is for the investigating agencies to find out. But what really bothers us is the fact that the MLA is not being allowed to move freely. It is very unusual for such a thing to take place in a democratic country,? Mazumdar said.
The CPI(ML) is categorical in its criticism of Governor Syed Sibtey Razi?s decision. But as Tarun Sarkar of the CPI(ML) points out, the ongoing political drama is not good for democracy. ?It is my personal opinion that in the race for garnering MLAs, the UPA has slipped somewhat. The NDA has scored in managing the post-result situation, especially in collecting MLAs.?
But he adds, ?The drama being enacted is not good for democracy. Ekka was picked up by a specially hired helicopter and it is also strange that he is always surrounded by people. ?
It could very well be the case that he succumbed to the NDA?s pressure tactics and he is now saying what it wants him to say, mused Sarkar.
The CPI has made no bones of what it thinks of the Independent legislators? support. ?This is nothing but kidnapping. What more proof do you need when the five MLAs are being moved around as captives? And why would anyone pick up an MLA by a helicopter? If herding the five MLAs around in a special plane is not captivity, what is? Those who say that Ekka has not been kidnapped are telling lies. This is going to have a very harmful effect on the state?s politics,? an office-bearer of the state CPI office said.
Talking to The Telegraph, the newly appointed minister of the RJD Girinath Singh said that Shibu Soren was sure to prove his majority onthe floor as Laloo Yadav was personally monitoring the situation andhelping out the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief in coming out of woods.
Girinath Singh added that he was sure that one or even two MLAs of the 5who have been?forcefully? kept by the NDA team will go with the UPA oncethey are released and come to join the assembly at Ranchi. ?Laloo Ji isguiding us in each and every matter and will help the UPA side to provethe majority? said the confident newly made minister.
RJD party sources disclosed that Laloo yadav was keeping an eye on theday to day activities of the party in Jharkhand and
