UPA delegation meets Kalam over Jharkhand disqualification Bill

     New Delhi: A 50-member delegation of Jharkhand parliamentarians and legislators, of opposition UPA, today met President A P J Abdul Kalam and asked him to direct Governor Syed Sibte Razi not to accord assent to a Bill to save ruling NDA MLAs from disqualification for holding offices of profit. "The governor of Jharkhand may kindly be directed to look into the developments objectively and save democracy in Jharkhand. The Governor should not accord assent to the Bill as it will create a wrong precedent and save the wrong-doers," the memorandum said. JMM supremo and Union Minister Shibu Soren, Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Sudhir Mahato and Independent MLA Stephen Marandi later told reporters that the President assured them that he would look into their demand and "consider it seriously".

     Last week, the Jharkhand Assembly had met to discuss the controversy surrounding the holding of offices of profit by some of its members. The treasury and the opposition levelled charges at each other on this issue, prompting Inder Singh Namdhari, the Speaker of the State Assembly to initiate a debate on the matter. On March 24, amidst the hurling of chairs and overturning of tables by opposition UPA members, the Jharkhand Assembly passed a controversial Bill to protect four NDA MLAs from possible disqualification on the ground of their holding offices of profit. The entire opposition had then rushed to the well raising anti- government slogans and demanded the resignation of four NDA MLAs, accusing them of holding offices of profit. This happened as soon as Namdhari took up the Jharkhand Legislature (Removal Of Disqualification) 2006 Bill to protect the four MLAs. The MLAs are Karia Munda, who heads the 20-point programme implementation committee, Chhatruram Mahto heading the state Agriculture Marketing Board, Saryu Roy, Vice-chairman of the state Planning Board and Khiru Mahto, Chairman of the Hazaribag Mines Board. Terming it as a 'black bill', some opposition members overturned the House reporters' table and chairs and marshals had a tough time to shield the Speaker as the members tried to climb the chairs to protest against the bill. Some chairs were flung and tables were overturned. Amidst chaos, the Bill was passed through voice vote and the Speaker abruptly adjourned the House infdefinitely. The session is scheduled to end on March 29. Chief Minister Arjun Munda, however, claimed all the four MLAs, three belonging to BJP and one of JD(U), were 'protected' by a 1950 Act enacted when Bihar was undivided. Article 191 of the Constitution says that a person shall be disqualified as a member of Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council of the state if he holds any office of profit under the Union or state government as specified in the first schedule, other than an office exempted by the Legislature.

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