Following Supreme Court directive, pressure mounts on Jharkhand BJP to elect Opposition leader.
Jharkhand politics: Following a Supreme Court directive, the BJP in Jharkhand faces increasing moral pressure to select a leader of the legislative party. The party has yet to declare a Leader of the Opposition since the 2024 assembly elections, delaying the constitution of the Information Commission.
All posts in Information Commission vacant
The Information Commission in Jharkhand has remained completely inactive since 2020. The vacancies of the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners have stalled the hearing of appeals and complaints. Advocate Shailesh Poddar, from the Jharkhand High Court, filed a petition in the Supreme Court on this issue.
Supreme Court issues stern directive
A bench of the Supreme Court directed the BJP, the largest opposition party in the Jharkhand assembly, to declare the name of its leader of the opposition within two weeks. This will initiate the selection process for the Information Commission.
Internal preparations underway for BJP
Following the Supreme Court's order, the BJP is expected to soon announce its legislative party leader. Should this not happen, the BJP will nominate a member to the selection committee for the Information Commission.
Five years of delays in appointments in the assembly
Earlier, hurdles in the formation of the Information Commission stemmed from the political tension between the BJP and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). The non-recognition of Babulal Marandi as the Leader of the Opposition and the pending trial in a party-hopping case led to a five-year delay.
Committee for Information Commission Formation
The BJP's declaration of a leader is anticipated before the budget session. The appointment of a Leader of the Opposition will expedite the constitution of the Information Commission. This is expected to improve transparency and administrative procedures in the state.
