Gopal Sharan Nath Shahdeo: Sound of silence

Ranchi, July 4: The just-concluded Assembly session, claim members, has been marked by a kind of ?silent satyagraha? by many of the newcomers, who became conspicuous by their steady silence.

Two of the ?silent brigade? belong to nothing short than royalty. Saurabh Narayan Singh (Congress) from the royal family of Ramgarh and Gopal Sharan Nath Shahdeo (Congress) from the royal family of Ratu, are young, presentable and better educated than many other MLAs. Their election, from Hazaribagh and Hatia constituencies respectively, had generated considerable enthusiasm. But both managed to fritter away the opportunity by maintaining a Sphinx-like silence in the Assembly.

They are not the only ones to disappoint. Even Congress veteran Thomas Hansda, who was the president of the Pradesh Congress Committee, was seldom seen or heard in the House. Even those who regularly attended the session were not always heard. BJP?s Kunti Singh from Jharia has been regularly attending the Assembly but barring once, she was seldom heard. The only issue she raised related to the inconvenience faced by women devotees in celebrating the Chhath festival.

There were also others who were seen but not heard. BJP?s Raj Kishore Mahto, claimed some members, was last heard when he was sworn in. His colleague from Kanke, Ramchandra Baitha, is also credited with the membership of the exclusive non-speakers? club.

Several other members spoke but once or twice. And the few occasions when their voice was heard, it was far from impressive. Aparna Sengupta (Forward Bloc), Amulya Sardar (JMM) and Munna Lal (JMM) are among those members who had to be prodded to speak. Lal, of course, was rarely seen in the House.

The Speaker, Inder Singh Namdhari, they said, has been encouraging members, especially newcomers to speak, but without much success. Members wonder why these MLAs cannot even raise issues of public interest related to their constituencies. Their silence would indicate that either their constituencies have little or no problem ? or the MLAs are least concerned with them.