Rivalry between Das and Rai behind Jamshedpur clashes: Cong

Former Jharkhand minister and Congress leader Banna Gupta today alleged that rivalry between Chief Minister Raghuvar Das and his cabinet colleague Saryu Rai prevented the East Singhbhum district administration from taking action soon after clashes broke out here on July 20.
The clashes happened due to the rivalry between Das and Rai, as well as within the BJP, Gupta alleged, addressing a press conference here. East Singhbhum DCC president Vijay Khan and vice-president Anand Bihar Dubey were also present.
Irresponsible statements by Rai after the clashes had aggravated the situation, forcing the district administration to enforce curfew in Jamshedpur, he said.

Demanding action against those involved in the clashes, Gupta asked why the Chief Minister did not ask Rai to ensure peace in the city, but named Kolhan Division Commissioner Arun to probe the clashes.
"It simply indicated that the Chief Minister did not have faith in his cabinet colleague and this lack of coordination between them prevented the district administration from taking stern action against the culprits after the clashes broke out over an eve-teasing incident in Mango," Gupta said.
A similar incident had taken place ahead of the last Assembly elections in Ranikudar locality under Kadma police station area in Jamshedpur West Assembly segment and the police had not taken the issue seriously, he alleged.

When asked whether the clashes had anything to do with the forthcoming Assembly elections in adjoining Bihar, Gupta said he did not have any intention to politicise the issue or criticise the Chief Minister, who had ordered for a probe a day after the incident.