Morning dispatch of newspapers, continuous scrolls of 24X7 news channel, social sites and news groups abuzzing with a State Minister and an MLA of the JMM; the ruling party of Jharkhand found infected with Covid 19 virus sent shock-waves in political circle of Jharkhand.
A day after Covid-19 made its presence felt in the power-portal; chief minister Hemant Soren and his close official team underwent home quarantine. CM’s official residence and chief minister’s office situated on Kanke road were meticulously splashed with sanitizer to kill the virus that quietly sneaks without displaying any symptom of illness.
It is not known so far that how many people who flaunt as close coterie, attendant, associates and confidant of such politicians have undergone home quarantine.
But, sources in the government confided that their contact tracing will be done as part of protocol.
Senior JMM MLA from Maheshpur; Stephen Marandi along with his family members and staffs have decided to stay in quarantine at his official residence in Ranchi.
However, this is not known whether Marandi had attended the ‘griha pravesh’ ceremony of that minister on July 2 that CM had attended.
“Sir widhayakji sahit sab log home quarantine me hain. Sir ka to sabse milna julna hota hi hai,” said a close staff of Marandi.
Politicians are in fact worried over Covid 19 lurking close to them.
Seasoned politician and Jamshedpur (East) MLA Saryu Roy said that this is time for the introspection for politicians and political parties.
“We rather became very casual after un-lockdown started. We assumed that battle against virus has been won so we did not care for social distancing. I have seen a number of politicians engaged in mass gathering, unofficial public and private programme and likes. Political parties too started political programmes like press conference, virtual rallies and like to prove their utility.
These are northing but cheap satisfaction that I will rather call psycho political symptom that needs treatment,” said Roy.
Roy warned that the next month will be crucial and Covid 19 has assumed proportion of community transfer in Jharkhand.
“From today I have started taking additional measures. I always maintain distance while meeting people,” he said.
Jharkhand assembly speaker Ravindra Nath Mahto said that right after the lockdown standards measures were taken at Jharkhand assembly to prevent spread of the virus.
“Two of members of the assembly have been affected by the virus and this is time to be very careful now. Entry of outsiders is completely prohibited here. Off course MLAs visit my office for official works but the number of visitors accompanying them will have to be restricted,” said speaker.
BJP’s Rajmahal MLA Anant Ojha on the other hand said that he has removed chairs at his visiting room to avoid any gathering. He has even asked his supporters and people of his constituency to better avoid visit till pandemic is controlled.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity an MLA said that sometimes it is very difficult to avoid public.
“People and supporters will reach your house and they expect due attention. You can’t decline them meeting because they will feel offended.
Despite knowing the risk you have to visit constituency to meet people and to discharge responsibilities assigned by the party otherwise you will be branded as irresponsible and insensitive towards people,” said the MLA.
