Former MLA Amba Prasad to Challenge Father's Expulsion from Congress
In a significant political development, former Barkagaon MLA Amba Prasad has announced her intention to approach the Congress high command regarding the expulsion of her father and former minister, Yogendra Saw. She has termed the party's action as 'unjust,' asserting that no show-cause notice was served prior to his removal from the party.
Allegations of Conspiracy and Unfair Treatment
On Sunday, Amba Prasad stated that a conspiracy is being plotted to end Saw's political career through his expulsion. She emphasized that her family has been actively fighting against NTPC's perceived unjust actions concerning displacement and compensation for residents in Barkagaon. "The party should have supported us in our struggle, rather than expelling him. Now, I have only trust in the party high command and will take the matter of his expulsion to them," she declared.
Amba further alleged that state Congress leaders resorted to falsehoods while announcing Saw's expulsion in the media. "The party, without any consultation, arbitrarily announced his expulsion in the press. In the briefing, party leaders said that if he had any grievances, he should have consulted the party and tried to solve those. But my father had repeatedly informed party leaders about NTPC's injustice done to the locals of Barkagaon. Acting on that, a three-member committee was constituted by the party. So how come they said that he did not inform the party leaders?" she questioned.
Expulsion Amidst Criticism of Government
Saw was expelled from the Congress on Friday, following his criticism of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the JMM-Congress-RJD government. This came after the Hazaribag administration demolished his Joradag bungalow in the NTPC command area to facilitate the expansion of the PSU's Chatti Bariatu coal mining project in the Keradari block. Post-demolition, Saw accused NTPC, the administration, and the government of deceiving landowners and providing inadequate compensation.
Amba Prasad suggested that the party expelled Saw under external pressure, though she did not specify the entity involved. "Yogendra Sawji, on the day of demolition, commented against the chief minister out of his grief. But the party expelled him for that. What about other leaders in the state who had criticised Congress ministers? What action has been taken against them?" she argued.
BJP's Response and Political Implications
BJP state spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo commented on the situation, stating that in its bid to remain in power and appease the chief minister, the Congress has sacrificed its own dedicated workers. "The former minister Yogendra Saw has been a loyal Congressman. While the BJP has never endorsed his methods of protest and functioning, it is deeply alarming that despite his entire family being long-time Congress supporters, his house was demolished by a Congress-backed government even when the matter is still pending before the court," Pratul said.
This incident highlights internal tensions within the Congress party in Jharkhand and raises questions about its handling of dissent among members. Amba Prasad's planned appeal to the high command could potentially escalate the matter, drawing further attention to issues of party discipline and support for grassroots struggles against corporate projects.
