Cong may delay Jharkhand elections

NEW DELHI: Congress would prefer to delay assembly elections in Jharkhand. There has been considerable speculation that Jharkhand would go to the hustings along with Maharashtra and Haryana. Though Congress high command is yet to take a view, the party, it appears, would want some time to recoup and rebuild its organisation in the state.

President���s rule in the state comes to an end in mid-January. Jharkhand has been under President���s Rule since January. In-mid July, Parliament approved a six-month extension.

The party would like to utilise the time to build its organisation and, more importantly, improve its image that has been spoilt due to the corruption charges against former state governor Syed Sibtey Razi. Congress was also associated with two regimes that were perceived to be corrupt. Sources indicated that the party is trying to resurrect its image with the help of new governor and drought-relief measures.

Congress��� organisation in the state has not been strong. This was evident in the Lok Sabha elections in which BJP won eight of the 14 parliamentary seats. Congress secured just one seat, that of Ranchi represented by Subodh Kant Sahay.

The impact of corruption charges involving Mr Razi���s aides is still being felt. On Tuesday, the Jharkhand government suspended Avinash Kumar, who served as officer on special duty to Governor Razi. Mr kumar was suspended on corruption charges framed on the basis of CBI raids conducted at his residences earlier this month.

Mr Razi was replaced by K Sankaranarayanan late in July, but the move is yet to lessen Congress��� woes. Party managers are finding it difficult to undo the damages wrought by compromises under President���s Rule and the
period when Congress supported the Madhu Koda-led coalition government from outside.