Thaindian News

Ranchi, Aug 21 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Jharkhand unit Friday demanded early assembly elections in the state which is under president’s rule since this January.
State BJP chief Raghubar Das said Home Minister P. Chidambaram had assured parliament the government would request the Election Commission to conduct elections in Jharkhand after the monsoons, but no process has been initiated for the polls.

“There is no sign that elections will take place in Jharkhand at the earliest,” Das told reporters here.

He said when K. Sankarnarayan took over as the state governor, he had also assured ensuring formation of an elected government in the state soon and it was not understandable why the governor was not recommending the dissolution of the Jharkhand assembly to facilitate early elections.

“The governor is taking decisions like a chief minister. The governor’s role is restricted in president’s rule and he should make efforts to ensure election in the state at the earliest,” said Das, adding the BJP demanded that the assembly elections should be conducted at the earliest in the interest of the people of the state.

“Jharkhand is facing a famine-like situation and only an elected government can work to end the woes of the affected people,” he said.

Das charged Congress with adopting double standards on elections. “In Haryana, the Congress government has recommended early elections despite the fact that its term expires in March next year. Jharkhand is under president’s rule since January. Why are elections not being conducted in the state?” he asked.

He also alleged the governor is trying to create an environment in favour of Congress before elections. “Delaying elections and keeping the state under president’s rule is a cruel joke with the people of the state,” he said.