Kirtivardhan Bhagvat Jha Azad, alias Kirti Azad (60), known for his achievements in both on and off the cricket field is the Congress candidate from Dhanbad, ready to take on two-time MP, the BP’s P.N. Singh.
Azad who was earlier with the BJP— he was MP of Darbhanga (Bihar) MP and MLA of Gole Market in Delhi — is scheduled to come to Bokaro on Thursday and visit Dhanbad the next day.
In an exclusive interview with The Telegraph over email, the cricketer-turned politician revealed a keen knowledge of the main issues of life in Dhanbad and accused his BJP rival of not addressing people’s concerns about poor civic amenities
Q: The BJP is accusing you of being a ‘parachute candidate’ without any experience of life in Dhanbad.
Azad: I am native of Godda in Jharkhand. I worked in Bokaro Steel as an assistant manager from 1982. I have also played several cricket matches in Dhanbad and Bokaro
Q: Over a lakh families, living in 595 underground fire affected sites, are faced with uncertainty due to the tardy process of rehabilitation. How can you help?
Azad: Their problems need to be looked at in totality. A comprehensive policy incorporating the issue of livelihood as the most important factor of rehabilitation should be worked out. People are reluctant to shift because of a lack of livelihood options
Q: Thousands of people, who had been evicted to pave the way for Bokaro Steel Plant, have been claiming compensation for long.
Azad: The problem of land oustees should have been taken up on priority. At the same time, the issue of government land being provided to private players in Bokaro by the state government in the name of establishing a private medical college and industrialisation should also be addressed
Q: Jharia, Dhanbad and Sindri are among the worst polluted towns as per a Greenpeace India report
Azad: Pollution is one of the biggest problems affecting the health of residents due to the presence of a large number of coal mines and other industries. Effective use of mine pit water can help solve the problem. Local residents must also be made aware of the issues involved
Q: Dhanbad faces perennial water crisis. Existing sources like the Maithon lake and Damodar river are being depleted fast. The civic body’s supply network is also old
Azad: Residents of Dhanbad have been facing problems with regard to basic facilities, including water and electricity. The sitting MP, who has also been an MLA of Dhanbad for three consecutive terms, has failed to deliver. Jharia and Katras are also badly affected
Q: Over 1.5 lakh coal workers have a long list of demands.
Azad: Their problems should be the focus of a government policy as they are devoid of social security cover, face health risks and have to share their hard earned money with local muscle men
Q: The BJP has held two editions of investors’ summits, but Dhanbad has received no proposal.
Azad: The BJP has failed to attract investments for Jharkhand despite claiming all-round progress due to the double engine of governance both at the state and Centre. The state government only snatched land from poor farmers in the name of industrialisation.
Q: Your father, the late Bhagwat Jha Azad, is known for having launched a war against the coal mafia. How will you tackle the issue?
Azad: I have always followed in the footsteps of my father who fought against corruption throughout his life. I will continue to fight against corruption, be it in the form of the coal mafia or any other form.
