M A I N   N E W S

Left parties call for Bihar bandh

Patna, August 7
All major Left parties, barring the CPM, today called for a bandh in Bihar on August 24 in support of their demand for immediate recall of state Governor Buta Singh, his advisor Arun Pathak, arrest of RJD MP Mohammed Shahabuddin and others.

Reiterating that they would not join hands with the RJD in coming Bihar Assembly election, CPI National Executive member Jalaluddin Ansari, state CPI (Marxist Leninist) Secretary Ramjatan Sharma and state RSP Secretary Tarakant Prakash told newspersons here that law and order situation had only deteriorated during the President’s rule, while acts of Dr Singh and Mr Pathak had encroached on ‘administrative proprietary’ in Bihar already facing political crisis.

Seeking support from the Samajwadi Party, the LJP and other Left democratic parties to the bandh call, they said the situation reached such a passe that it forced the Chief Secretary to proceed on long leave in protest against his inconsequential role in transfer of some IPS officers known for their honesty and integrity. They also dubbed the Governor as an ‘agent’ of the Congress and the RJD.

The transfer of Police Superintendent of Siwan Ratna Sanjay, who had ‘reined in’ the RJD MP Mohammed Shahabuddin, was not expected, they said.

The Left leaders said the present state government and the Governor had failed to initiate any step to tackle drought-like situation in the state and added that the government also failed in checking ‘all pervasive’ corruption in poverty alleviation and people welfare programmes.

Meanwhile, arguing that the RJD could not form the government on its own, State NCP Executive Committee today authorised party chief Sharad Pawar and Rajya Sabha member Tariq Anwar to decide on the role of NCP and its allies in the forthcoming Assembly election in Bihar.

Mr Anwar, who is also the party general secretary, told newspersons here the RJD should try to evolve a consensus among constituents of the UPA for the elections.

He said the NCP would make attempts to evolve a seat-sharing formula which would be acceptable not only to all the constituents of the UPA, but also supporting parties like the CPI and the CPM

The NCP leader said party’s top leadership would hold discussions with the RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Lok Janashakti Party LJP supremo Ram Vilas Paswan in this regard. He also to admitted differences among constituents of the UPA in Bihar, but hoped they that would contest the election together under political compulsion and pressure.

Extending support to the agitation launched by teachers of Sanskrit schools and madrasas demanding pay parity with that of government school teachers, Mr Anwar urged Bihar Governor Buta Singh to intervene and end the deadlock.

He said the condition of farmers was also not very encouraging as rains eluded them in the current season. He urged the Centre, the Governor and the state government to initiate steps for mitigating sufferings of farmers by advocating complete coverage of crop insurance programme. — UNI