Formation of government-history scripted through paper clippings

The journalist-cum-former Press Advisor to the Chief Minister Harendra Singh released the book on “Jharkhand mein lokpriya sarkar ka gathan-media ki nazar mein” recently. The book is a mirror of the fast changing political scenario in between September 7-15 in the state of Jharkhand, wherein political instability has been the hallmark since its inception in 2000.

The writer, Harendra Singh, applauded the chief minister Arjun Munda for his sharp acumen and insight on the politics of this state. He observed the fast forward game of political melodrama that eventually led to the formation of the government in the state. Democratic process is always preferred by the common man but unfortunately the state has witnessed time and again President’s rule, thereby putting the election process in quandary.

The compilation of newspaper clippings by the writer to tell the story of government formation under the dynamic leadership of Arjun Munda, the tribal leader and two- time Chief Minister reveals that though the matter was being reported but Munda took everybody by storm.

“Drought and naxalism coupled with exodus, poverty, unemployment and other related problems would remain with open mouth. The new government would face stiff challenge on this front. The leadership of Arjun Munda would certainly deal with such issues and would try to give new shape to development,” the writer Harendra affirmed.

If the formation is concerned directly with the voters then the making is concerned with the honorable MLAs of 81-Vidhan Sabha areas (of Jharkhand), wrote Vidhyanath Jha ‘Vidhit’. In the present circumstances, the ‘mandate’ should be treated as such that they expect from their politicians to form the coalition government with the magic figure and also bring pace in the development, Vidhit wrote while analyzing the subject in the writer’s collection of political events.

The clippings of various newspapers mention the sudden development wherein Arjun Munda takes over the reign and rope in the support of 45 MLAs including the legislators of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU). On September 7, 2010, the happenings on the political front keeps everybody guessing that Munda is a new leader of the state and this actually happens the following day after the BJP stake claim to form the government.

Even the senior Journalists wrote in their reporting that Munda displayed acumen and wisdom in every step. His master stroke to emerge out of the blue to form the government reflects the maturity of Arjun Munda. The newspaper clippings have been used by Mr. Harendra to tell the story in a simple manner.

This is for the first time that any author has used such clippings to script History of any state. The best part of the entire work is that the headlines of different newspapers are telling the story of political developments.

The book is an important document that could be used by researchers for tracing the socio-political condition of a particular period. It concludes with photo cartoon of CM Arjun Munda in the middle, deputy CMs Hemant Soren and Sudesh Mahato on two sides projecting love for 'jal jungle and jameen'(water, forests and land).

Sanjeev Shekhar