With the next elections barely two years away Birmitrapur’s firebrand independent MLA, George Tirkey has ramped up efforts to expand his base among the tribal voters. The legislator, who began his career as a Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader, has launched an agitation demanding an autonomous council for the development of scheduled tribe members. Taking potshots at the state government for its recent announcement about the setting up of special tribal development councils in nine districts, Tirkey accused the government of trying to hoodwink the tribal community. “If they are really serious they should set up an autonomous council for the development of the community,” the MLA remarked.
