Flex-tainted Kumar gets a red carpet in Ranchi, Chief Justice sings praise

Justice Gupta was speaking at a function organised by Prabhat Khabar, a local newspaper, to which Gupta and Kumar had been invited to talk on ‘‘Development in Jharkhand.’’

In his speech, Justice Gupta recalled the swearing-in ceremony of J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdulah when he was a judge in the J&K High Court. ‘‘He was being administered the oath by Governor Jagmohan. I touched his (Jagmohan’s) feet and said you have become so popular that if you contest elections from any place, you will win. Even Kumar has become so popular in this state.’’

Saying that he considered Kumar his elder brother, Justice Gupta said that till Kumar was Governor, whenever he needed his guidance, he visited him. But ‘‘after he left, I have lost my friend, philosopher and guide,’’ said Justice Gupta. Kumar, who was in Ranchi for the first time after his resignation, was draped with garlands and bouquets. Among those who greeted him at the airport were state Finance Minister M P Singh, Water Resources Minister Ramchandra Kesri and Chief Secretary V S Dubey. The Ranchi Pustak Vayawasi Samaj and the Marwari Yuva Manch—two local business bodies put up posters and banners in different parts of the town reading Vikas Purush Prabhat Kumarji Ka Jharkhand Ki Dharti Par Swagat Hai. Members of the Chotanagpur Chamber of Commerce and Industries—a body of traders and businessmen—came out to welcome him. Several state government officials and Ranchi University staff also showed up.

In his address, Kumar who referred to Justice Gupta as his ‘‘friend’’ said that eight months were not sufficient for development of any state. He added: ‘‘What could not be done during the past 50 years needs time to be accomplished. But the process should at least start. Any strategy for development should be chalked out keeping the poor and the village in mind. No delicious cuisine can be prepared with a mix of politics and development.’’