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Jharkhand parties warn against holding up Bihar Bill

The Vamjanwadi Jharkhand Rajya Sangharsh Samiti Monday stressed the need for a concerted struggle to realise a separate Jharkhand state.

The Samiti would meet in Ranchi on April 26 to review its earlier programmes, and to decide its future course of action in the changed political situation at the Centre.

The Atal Bihari Vajpayee government had introduced the Bihar State Reorganisation Bill, 1998, for creating Vananchal, in the winter session of Parliament. It was to be taken up for adoption in the current Budget session.

Samiti spokesman C D Singh said they would continue pressuring the Centre to clear the legislation this session.

The Samiti has representation from the Communist Party of India, Forward Bloc, Revolutionary Socialist Party, Jharkhand Party (Horo) and several other non-political organisations.

"We are ready to take to the streets if the bill for Jharkhand is not cleared in the ongoing session," Singh said.

The parties trying to form an alternative government at the Centre would have to ensure that the Bill was adopted at the earliest, he said adding that it would not be a major problem considering the number of MPs favouring such a move.

''History will not forgive those trying to betray the people of Jharkhand this time," he stated.

Meanwhile, the Jharkhand and Vananchal Budgijivi Sangharsh Morcha expressed concern over the changed political scenario centre, and said it would have a direct bearing on the state's creation. It appealed to the members in Parliament to 'rise above party lines' and ensure the passage of the Bill.

UNI

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