Farmers Movement Archive

Congress, saffron party acrimony intensifies ahead of twin bypolls

Ranchi: Ahead of the November 3 twin bypolls in Bermo and Dumka, opposition BJP has launched a scathing attack on the Mahagathbandhan government over the “deteriorating” law and order in the state and sought governor Droupadi Murmu’s intervention into the matter. Meanwhile, the ruling coalition alliance has hit back saying it is the BJP-ruled states and the Narendra Modi government at the Centre which are promoting “lawlessness” in the country. On Monday, a three-member BJP delegation led by state party president Deepak Prakash called on Murmu at the Raj Bhavan and submitted a memorandum, seeking her intervention to check the “unsafe” environment in the state. Countering BJP’s move, Congress, which is a part of the Mahagathbandhan, announced a month-long campaign against the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government for the gang rape and murder of a Dalit girl in Hathras and the “unending acts of oppression” of the marginalised section of society and the farmers through "draconian" laws. Party leaders said they will submit a memorandum over the issues to the President. After meeting Murmu, Prakash told the media, “Over 1,200 rape and murder cases have been reported in Jharkhand under the current regime’s nine-month tenure. This speaks volumes of the lawlessness. We have sought the immediate intervention of the governor against the growing menace.” Prakash, who was accompanied by Ranchi mayor Asha Lakra and party general secretary Aditya Sahu, said, “In the last one week, two back-to-back gang-rape incidents and the murder of a minor took place in Santhal Parganas. These incidents rocked the state and exposed the inefficiency of the current government to bring the law and order under control.” He added, “Law and order will be a major issue in the upcoming bypolls of Dumka and Bermo. People are frustrated with this government, which can’t safeguard its citizens, particularly women and children.” State Congress spokesperson Lal Kishorenath Shahdeo said the party will also launch elaborate campaigns to counter BJP’s “propaganda to mislead the people” from October 31, just three days ahead of the bypolls. He said, “On the occasion of Kishan Adhikar Divas observed on Sadar Vallabhai Patel’s birth anniversary, which also coincides with the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, on October 31, we will launch the campaign.” He added, “We will also hold tractor rallies between November 1 and 10 across the state against the Centre’s attempt to privatise farmland through new 'draconian’ laws. The ongoing signature campaign against the farm laws has also been extended till November 10, which will be formally submitted to the party high command on that day. Later, it will be formally submitted to the President to seek his intervention.” Another party spokesperson, Alok Dubey, said state-wide rallies will be held on November 5 to show solidarity with the Hathras rape victim. “The gruesome crime is part of the attacks on Dalits and the marginalised section of the country under the BJP-led government at the Centre and Uttar Pradesh. “On November 14, we will protest through social media against the Modi government’s attempt to privatise PSUs in the interest of their corporate friends,” he added.

The Times of India

2020-10-20

Ranchi