NEW DELHI, SEPT 15: The proposed creation of a Jharkhand State is kicking up a storm with the Congress and the BJP today backing the concept of a state within Bihar, thus taking a strong anti-Laloo Yadav line on the contentious issue.While the BJP's line is predictable, the Congress Working Committee has lent a sharper edge to the party's Pachmarhi line of taking on the Rashtriya Loktantrik Morcha. The CWC cleared its support to Jharkhand in a two-hour meeting this afternoon, reiterating the party's ``commitment to support the creation of the Jharkand state as outlined in its manifesto of 1998''.The Congress is apparently heading for a potential clash with the Morcha headed by Mulayam Singh and Laloo Yadav and bracing for a possible freeze in its relations with the Morcha while keeping its options open with the Left.In Pachmarhi, the Congress had called for a revival of the organisation in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Tamil Nadu even if it means rivalling what were labelled as ``casteist'' forces, aeuphemism for the Morcha.Almost as an afterthought, the Congress added a line to the CWC resolution on Jharkhand which could appease Laloo. ``Congress believes that an economic package for Bihar should be considered by the government of India,'' the line said. It wasn't part of the original statement released by the CWC and was read out by Arjun Singh as a ``correction'' later.The BJP too stepped up its pro-Jharkand offensive. Party spokesperson Venkaiah Naidu said the state can be formed even if the Bihar Assembly doesn't pass a resolution approving the draft statehood Bill. Parliament can still go ahead and take a decision as the Constitution says the state Assembly had only to be informed and its concurrence was not essential.Both the Congress and BJP feel Laloo is looking for an issue which could rouse passions in favour of the RJD, in the event of the Rabri Devi government being dismissed by the Centre. Both are keen not to allow him such an issue, especially on Jharkand. The Congress has anadditional problem: its Jharkhand unit threatened to quit the party should the Congress not back the new state's creation.Other issues taken up by the CWC were largely introspective. The CWC has adopted the report of the Ethics Committee with a code of conduct for all party members. This is slated to be released by committee chairman A.K. Antony tomorrow evening. Also, the CWC asked its members to contribute a month's salary, roughly equivalent to that of an MP's, to the Congress President's Relief Fund. Congress MPs and MLAs have been asked to follow suit.Finally, the CWC decided to set up a Human Rights department in the AICC which will look into the growing abuse of human rights in the country and provide the Congress with a specific line on this issue. Almost all CWC members were present for today's meeting barring Sharad Pawar, Pranab Mukherjee, Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy and K Karunakaran, all of whom are not in Delhi at the moment.However, the CWC couldn't take up pending Pachmarhi issues and isslated to meet again in about 10 days for this. The coming elections to four states could come up then for discussion.
