Outrage over induction of jailed MLA's father as minister

The induction of a jailed legislator's father, who is not even a member of the assembly, as Jharkhand's 12th minister has irked the Madhu Koda government's United Progressive Alliance (UPA) partners, the opposition as well as the common people.

Hemendra Pratap Shahi, father of jailed legislator Bhanu Pratap Shahi, was administered the oath of office Tuesday evening by Governor Syed Sibte Razi. Though Hemendra Pratap is not a legislator, he has been elevated as minister as a stopgap arrangement.

Said Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) legislator Annapuran Devi: "This is an extra-constitutional move. We will not allow such acts of the government."

"We are extending support to the government but it does not mean that the government should do what is not good," she added.

Bhanu Pratap's former party Forward Bloc, from which he was expelled, has also expressed unhappiness over the move.

"Our support should not be taken for granted. The induction is indication of the beginning of the fall of the Koda government. The constitutional provision should not be misused," said Janardhan Pandey, state secretary of the Forward Bloc.

Former chief minister Babulal Marandi of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said Hemendra Pratap's induction was a black day in the history of the state.

His colleague Arjun Munda, who was deposed by the UPA, termed the decision as a murder of the constitution.

The induction of the jailed legislator's father in the cabinet stunned not only politicians, but also common people.

"This is nothing but a mockery of our constitution. The constitution empowers the chief minister to induct anyone as minister for six months, but here the son will replace the father after he gets out of jail," said Sailen Sen, a resident of Ranchi.

The chief minister said he found nothing wrong in the decision.

"The constitution empowers the chief minister to induct anyone as minister for six months. I have exercised my power."

Koda was under tremendous pressure from the governor to complete the cabinet quota of the ministers. There can be 12 ministers in Jharkhand, including the chief minister. The 12th minister's post was lying vacant.

Koda has expanded his cabinet twice and recommended Bhanu Pratap's name as minister. On both occasions, the governor rejected the proposal as he faces 14 criminal cases and arrest warrants in three cases.

He surrendered in the Garwah court last week. Of the three cases, he was granted bail in only one.

"Bhanu will surrender before court and seek bail during this period. After six months, Bhanu will replace his father and become a minister," a top government official had said earlier.

The Koda government enjoys wafer thin majority and support of each legislator is a must to run the government. The new government came to power by ousting the Arjun Munda-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government with the active role of legislators like Bhanu Pratap.

(IANS)

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