‘No special status required for mineral-rich Jharkhand’

Jharkhand does not need a special status as it is a mineral-rich state, JMM supremo Sibu Soren said on Monday.

Taking political rivals head-on over the issue, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) supremo said at a press conference, “I am surprised to find that some people have triggered a hue and cry... Jharkhand already has mines and minerals.”

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) president Babulal Marandi and AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahato have separately called a statewide bandh on March 2, demanding special status for Jharkhand.

Last year, a group of ministers had told Rajya Sabha that Jharkhand did not meet the criteria for a special status. But, the demand has once again gained pace after the Union government granted a special category status to Seemandhra, the residual Andhra Pradesh after carving out Telangana.

The issue had triggered a din in the assembly recently. The JVM(P) and the AJSU Party had raised voice for a special status.
Meanwhile, local residents think that life would be hit in the state due to the Jharkhand bandh on March 2.

Besides, the ruling and the opposition parties in Bihar have also separately called a bandh to demand special status. The BJP will observe the shutdown on February 28.

The bandh called by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) coincides with the Jharkhand shutdown on March 2.
Addressing a press conference in Dumka, Sibu also played down the effect of Narendra Modi’s rally in the area on March 24. Sibu represents the Dumka seat.

First Published: Feb 25, 2014 14:32 IST