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Opposition to boycott Govt. functions in Jharkhand

By K. Balchand

RANCHI Nov.14. Notwithstanding the gala arrangement to celebrate the second establishment day of the State and the Chief Minister, Babu Lal Marandi's two years in office, the BJP may well be finding itself isolated on the occasion. While the BJP may be asserting itself with the objective of setting its own agenda, the Opposition parties are redefining their strategy.

They may be taking heart from the dissenting notes of the Samata Party and the JD(U), which cannot but be embarrassing to its senior partner.

Viewing the BJP's attempt to make development its main agenda as a gamble in the light of its electoral reverses, the Opposition parties have decided to boycott all the functions scheduled for tomorrow.

The State units of the Samata and the JD(U) have decided to stay away from the bash, without binding their Ministers. The two parties also decided not to put any poster or banner at the venues of celebration.

All the parties, including the two BJP allies, are critical of the massive expenditure on the six-day extravaganza when the entire State had been declared drought-affected and little done to provide relief to those on the verge of starvation.

The JMM is not only holding a parallel rally at Godda, but also demanding the creation of a greater Jharkhand State, comprising parts of West Bengal, Orissa and Chhattisgarh.

Its president, Shibu Soren, who nurses a grudge against the BJP and the Samata for denying him the top job in the State, has already submitted a memorandum to the Governor.

The two banned naxalite outfits, the MCC and the PWG, too have given a call for greater Jharkhand, while deciding to intensify their activities in the State.

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