Bidhu Jha

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Bidhu Shekhar Jha (born August 4, 1942) is a Canadian politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 2003 to 2016, representing the Winnipeg division of Radisson as a member of the New Democratic Party.

Early life and careerEdit

Jha was born in Deoghar, Bihar, now a part of the Indian state of Jharkhand. He has a degree in mechanical engineering from BIT Sindri, and has taken postgraduate training in industrial engineering and management.<ref name="biharandjharkhand.com">Directory of Achievers: Mr. Bidhu Jha, Bihar and Jharkhand.com, accessed September 4, 2007.</ref> He moved to Canada in 1969 and founded Optimum Ergonomics Ltd. in 1978, specializing in office and computer furnishings.<ref>Paul Samyn, "Ethnic groups raise alarms over Reform", Winnipeg Free Press, 19 October 1993.</ref> He later founded the Optimum Technology Corporation, specializing in international trade and business development.<ref>Murray McNeill, "Ergonomics firm could be revived", Winnipeg Free Press, 2 October 1997, B8; Murray McNeill, "Businessman refuses to let bankrupt firm go", Winnipeg Free Press, 27 October 1997, B4; Bidhu Jha Caucus Page: Biography Template:Webarchive, New Democratic Party of Manitoba, accessed 4 September 2007.</ref>

Jha authored the screenplay for a full-length feature film entitled Namumkin (1988), telling the story of an Asian family exiled from Idi Amin's Uganda.<ref>The film was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. See Suzanne Soto, "Young filmmaker tackles Hindu saga", Globe and Mail, 3 June 1988, E5.</ref> He later served as president of Winnipeg's Indian Association,<ref>Bud Robertson, "Local East Indians mobilize for action", Winnipeg Free Press, 3 October 1993. Jha criticized the Reform Party of Canada in 1993 for its restrictive policies on immigration and multiculturalism, arguing that the party was pursuing short-term solutions in a dangerous manner. See Paul Samyn, "Ethnic groups raise alarms over Reform", Winnipeg Free Press, 19 October 1993.</ref> and led a flag-raising ceremony in 1997 to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of India's independence.<ref>Nick Martin, "Celebrations mark 50 years of freedom for Pakistan, India", Winnipeg Free Press, 14 August 1997, A6. On this occasion, Jha was quoted as saying, "Democracy has survived with 17 official languages. There are a lot of similarities (to Canada) with diversity. We are trying to take the Gandhian approach. Being diverse doesn't mean we have to separate ourselves." He made similar remarks six years later, when he was sitting as a member of the legislative: "True Hindus consider the world their extended family and pray for the happiness of all. This manifested itself in my election campaign, in which I claimed the world as our jurisdiction and concern. To me, the most important aspects of the Hindu faith are social justice and democracy." See "Local Hindus celebrate Durga Puja a huge festival for believers", Winnipeg Free Press, 11 October 2003, E13.</ref> In 2001, he organized a dinner for British Columbia Premier Ujjal Dosanjh to mark his selection as Canada's first provincial leader of South Asian background.<ref>"Indo-Canadians putting on dinner for B.C. premier", Winnipeg Free Press, 6 August 2000, A3.</ref>

Jha served on the board of Manitoba Telephone System in 1986-87, and has also served on the boards of the Canadian Cancer Society and Deer Lodge Foundation.<ref>Jha's departure from the MTS Board was precipitated by a minor controversy. He chose to resign after it was discovered that his company had sold $70,000 worth of office equipment to the MTS in 1985 and 1986. Premier Howard Pawley said that Jha was not in a conflict-of-interest situation, and he was not accused of any wrongdoing. The MTS rules were subsequently changed to ensure board members did not engage in business with the entity. See "Rules changed for phone firm", Globe and Mail, 5 March 1987, A4.</ref> In 2002, he received a Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal and an Asia Pacific Award of Entrepreneurship from the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba.<ref>"Manitoba Movers", Winnipeg Free Press, 8 July 2002, B7.</ref> He was 63 years old as of 2006.<ref name="biharandjharkhand.com" />

Political careerEdit

Jha ran for the Manitoba legislature in the 1999 provincial election, and lost to Progressive Conservative candidate John Loewen in the south Winnipeg division of Fort Whyte. The New Democratic Party won a majority government across the province. After the election, Jha was appointed to the Board of the Manitoba Crown Corporations Council.<ref>"Patronage denied in losing candidate's appointment", Winnipeg Free Press, 25 January 2000, A6. Jha received $7,500 per year for the position.</ref> He later chaired a Taxi-Cab Safety Working Group, which was convened after five Winnipeg drivers were murdered over the course of ten years. He issued a report calling for the installation of safety shields, cameras and recording devices; safety shields were made mandatory in 2002.<ref>Mia Rabson, "Cabbies want security beefed up", Winnipeg Free Press, 6 March 2001, A3; "Winnipeg cabbies have to install surveillance cameras or get yanked off road", Canadian Press, 24 June 2002, 18:02.</ref>

Jha was elected for the northeast Winnipeg division of Radisson in the 2003 general election, as the NDP won a second consecutive majority government across the province.<ref>He defeated Chad Samain to win the NDP nomination. See David O'Brien, "Race heating up in Wolseley", Winnipeg Free Press, 13 March 2003, A5.</ref> On November 4, 2003, he was appointed Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Energy, Science and Technology. The following year, he was named as Legislative Assistant to the Premier.<ref>Bidhu Jha Caucus Page: Biography Template:Webarchive, New Democratic Party of Manitoba, accessed 4 September 2007.</ref> He played an active role in securing repairs for the Prendergast Community Centre,<ref>Jen Skerritt, "Funds for roof replacement put centre's fear of closure to rest", Winnipeg Free Press, 13 July 2005, B4.</ref> and accompanied Premier Gary Doer on a trade mission to India in 2006.<ref>"Premier of Canadian province to lead trade mission to India", The Press Trust of India Limited, 7 February 2006.</ref>

Jha broke ranks with his government in 2005 to oppose the construction of a large hog-processing facility in the Radisson division. Many of his constituents were against the project, and Jha argued that the facility should be built outside of the city.<ref>Mary Agnes Welch, "NDP MLAs break ranks, demand hog-plant delay", Winnipeg Free Press, 23 November 2005, A1; Bartley Kives, "A fair wind blows on Franco", Winnipeg Free Press, 20 January 2006, B1.</ref> In response to criticism, Premier Doer announced in 2007 that the plant would not be constructed.

Some believed that Jha's seat would be vulnerable in the 2007 provincial election, but he was re-elected by an increased margin.<ref>"Riding to victory 12 key areas to watch this election", Winnipeg Free Press, 21 April 2007, A6; Mia Rabson, "Battle is fierce for NDP 'safe seat'", Winnipeg Free Press, 20 May 2007, A9.</ref> Jha has won the seat for the third time in a row in 2011.

Electoral recordEdit

Template:2011 Manitoba general election/Radisson Template:2007 Manitoba general election/Radisson

Template:2003 Manitoba general election/Radisson

Template:1999 Manitoba general election/Fort Whyte

All electoral information is taken from Elections Manitoba. Expenditure entries refer to individual candidate expenses.

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

External linksEdit

MLA page Template:Dead link