Opposition MLAs protested during the Governor's address during budget session in the Jharkhand assembly on Saturday demanding special status category for the state like Seemandhra. MLAs of Babulal Marandi-led Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) and All Jharkhand Students' Union led the protests and shouted slogans in the assembly. JVM(P) has called for a bandh on March 2 to demand special state status.
“The UPA government has exposed its duplicity in governance matters, allowed the creation of Seemandhra for electoral gains, while neglecting this state's demand for special state status even when Jharkhand meets all criteria for this such as population below poverty level, educational and economic backwardness,” said JVM(P)'s Pradeep Yadav. “The Raghuram Rajan committee report had put Jharkhand at fifth position in these measures, while Andhra Pradesh was at 14," he said.
All Jharkhand Students' Union MLA and former deputy chief minister in the previous Arjun Munda-led government Sudesh Mahto demanded that a resolution be passed demanding special state status and criticising the central government's decision. “This is the demand of all parties in the state,” he said.
AJSU has held several public meetings and demonstrations demanding this in the last several months, under the slogan “khanij hamara, khazana kissi aur ka.” AJSU leaders announced that all of the partyt's district offices will burn effigies of the central government to protest the center's treatment of Jharkhand.
BJP MLA and former speaker CP Singh also spoke in favour of passing a resolution for this.
Congress MLA and minister in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led coalition governemt Rajendra Prasad Singh said the government was ready to discuss the matter during the session.