Babulal Marandi interview: ‘Don’t think tribals will give JMM another chance… We’ll work to confront the ruling coalition’

The new Jharkhand BJP chief promises 'heart-to-heart contact' with party workers, says focus will be on making them work efficiently in run-up to Lok Sabha polls

Written by Abhishek Angad
Ranchi | Updated: July 6, 2023 09:11 AM IST

3 min read

Newly-appointed Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi being welcomed by party workers, ar party HQ in Ranchi, Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (PTI Photo)

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The first chief minister of Jharkhand and currently the Leader of the Opposition in the state, Babulal Marandi was named the Jharkhand BJP president on Tuesday. In an interview to The Indian Express, he says he will work as per his “intellectual and physical capacity” for the betterment of the state and will work on a war footing for the Lok Sabha elections scheduled next year.

Excerpts:

What is your priority as the BJP state president?

The priority is clear. First, we have to work for the Lok Sabha elections. So, we will strengthen our organisation and plan how we make all party workers — new ones, and those who have been MLAs and office bearers in the past — work efficiently. If we are talking about a better Jharkhand, we will have to work towards fixing it.

The BJP performed very poorly in the tribal-reserved seats in the last state elections. What are your plans?

Of course, and the people of Jharkhand thought to give the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) a chance and now they have tested them. They have also seen me working in the past and also the BJP. So, I don’t think they will give the JMM another chance. Earlier too, and more so now, a lot of people from tribal communities are associating themselves with the BJP.

Also Read | In Jharkhand, BJP returns to Babulal Marandi, hopes to woo tribals back

What would you want to change within the party?

I have not spoken to political leaders yet, and we will deliberate and strategise accordingly. Hum sangthathmaak aur sangharshaatmak kaam karenge (Our politics will be to work as an organisation and we will be confronting the ruling coalition). Specifically, we will work on the lower strata of the party’s administrative and political wings, focussing on the workers. There will be heart-to-heart contact.

What is your stand on the JMM’s domicile policy, based on 1932 as the cut-off year, as well as employment – the fate of which still hangs with the Governor?

The stand is clear. Third and fourth grade jobs will go to men and women of Jharkhand. Even when I was the CM, I had brought a domicile policy (based on the previous Rights of Record, i.e land holding details). BJP is committed to giving jobs. How we will do that, and what the modalities will be, shall be known only if and when we form the next government.