JVD reacts to FM's statement

Ranchi, Jun 19 : The Jharkhand Vikas Dal today reacted strongly to state finance minister Raghuvir Das' recent statement which termed the regional political parties as the roots of corruption.

JVD president and former MP Suraj Mandal said Mr Das is himself in the BJP-led NDA government in the state that still continued to be in power with suport of regional parties only.

The finance minister's statement came following Jharkhand Vikash Morcha president Babulal Marandi's allegation that the national parties could not gauge the aspirations of the local people and hence regional parties needed to be strengthened.

Mr Marandi's, who resigned from the BJP's preliminary membership last month, statement provoked Mr Das to say the regional parties were the main roots of corruption.

With allegation and counter-allegation continuing, the JVD said Mr Das should not have said so since the BJP was steeped in many financial irregularities.

Mr Mandal said the ministerial chair enjoyed by Mr Raghuvar Das was due to support of regional political parties to the NDA government.

UNI