Jharkhand BJP MLA stages symbolic protest with oxen, plough over poor road condition in Hazaribagh
Hazaribagh (PTI): Jharkhand's Hazaribagh BJP MLA Pradeep Das on Monday staged a symbolic protest using a pair of oxen, a yoke, and a plough to draw attention to alleged poor condition of roads in the district.
Das told PTI that he was forced to undertake such a protest after repeated complaints before authorities failed to evince any response.
"I lodged complaints about poor road conditions before the district administration for nearly six months. But no action has been taken to repair the potholed roads even during festive seasons. This forced me to take up such a symbolic protest. If the authorities do not undertake repairs, I will launch an agitation both in Hazaribagh and also at the Vidhan Sabha," Das said.
Standing with the oxen and plough along Lepo Road near NH-33 for about 10–15 minutes, Das claimed that several roads in Hazaribagh city were in a dilapidated state, riddled with potholes.
He also pointed to clogged roadside drains, which he said had led to waterlogging during Durga Puja.
"It is not only this road where I am standing, several other roads in the city are damaged and people face problems commuting. Potholes dot almost every road and cleaning work of roadside drains are not being carried out regularly leading to clogging of drains and subsequent waterlogging," the BJP MLA alleged.
"People faced problems during Durga Puja. We want the problems to be addressed before Diwali and Chhath Puja. It seems officials are only busy in meetings and not taking action on the ground," Das said.
Deputy Commissioner Shashi Prakash Singh told PTI that the process for floating tenders for road repairs are underway.
Hazaribagh Municipal Corporation Assistant Municipal Commissioner Vipin Kumar said the road stretch which the MLA had highlighted comes under National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
NHAI Hazaribagh section junior engineer Manish Choudhary told PTI that the process to finalise tenders for repair of NH-33 stretch has been completed and work will commence soon.
"Due to rain, work was delayed. Tender process for road repair has been completed and work will begin soon," the NHAI official said.
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Mamata asks TMC candidates of recent polls to rebuild party, says 'those who want to leave can go'
Kolkata (PTI): After the TMC faced an electoral setback, party supremo Mamata Banerjee urged its candidates who contested the recent assembly polls to rebuild the organisation, asserting that those wishing to quit the party were free to do so.
At a meeting with the Trinamool Congress' contesting candidates at her Kalighat residence on Friday, attended by its national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, she said the organisation would rise again despite suffering a crushing defeat in the recently concluded assembly elections.
"Those who are leaving for other parties, let them go. I will rebuild the party afresh. To those who are staying, I say rebuild the damaged party offices, paint them and reopen them. If needed, I too will paint them. Trinamool Congress will never bow down. People's mandate has been looted," Banerjee was quoted as saying by party sources.
The remarks came days after the TMC was reduced from the ruling party to the opposition benches following a dramatic reversal in electoral fortunes.
Of the 294 assembly seats in the state, the party managed to win only 80.
Mamata Banerjee herself suffered defeat in Bhabanipur, long considered her political bastion.
The TMC had fielded candidates in 291 seats, leaving three seats in the Darjeeling hills to its ally Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) led by Anit Thapa. Of these, only 80 candidates emerged victorious, while 211 lost, including several heavyweight leaders and ministers.
The meeting at Kalighat was convened for candidates who had contested the elections on the party's ticket amid reports of internal discontent and speculation over possible defections after the electoral debacle.
The meeting echoed Banerjee's remarks made a day after the results were declared. Addressing a press conference on May 5, the party supremo had said she was aware that some leaders might switch camps.
"I know many will leave for other parties. They may have their own compulsions. I have nothing to say about that. Whoever wants to go may go. I do not believe in forcibly holding anyone back," she had said.
The TMC's official X handle later posted photographs of the meeting and praised the contesting candidates for their fight during the election campaign.
"Today, our Hon'ble Chairperson @MamataOfficial and our Hon'ble National General Secretary @abhishekaitc met with our contesting candidates at Kalighat. They fought with unmatched courage despite facing unimaginable atrocities and relentless intimidation.
"The Trinamool Congress stands united as one family. We will never bow before those who loot the people's mandate. Truth will prevail," the party posted on X on Friday.
The post also reiterated the party's charge that the electoral mandate had been "stolen", a claim repeatedly raised by TMC leaders after the poll results.
Party insiders said Banerjee used the meeting to boost the morale of candidates who had contested the polls and send a message of unity amid a difficult phase for the organisation.
Today, our Hon'ble Chairperson @MamataOfficial and our Hon'ble National General Secretary @abhishekaitc met with our Hon'ble Parliamentarians, at Kalighat.
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) May 14, 2026
Bengal has been burning under @BJP4India's watch. Violence, fear, and chaos have engulfed the state over the past few days… pic.twitter.com/nYGdiIAdYD
