Interview/ Babulal Marandi, Jharkhand Bjp President
Former Jharkhand chief minister and president of the state unit of the BJP, Babulal Marandi, exudes confidence that his party will once again dominate the Lok Sabha polls in the state. In an exclusive interview, Marandi says the track record of the BJP-led government at the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image as a leader who delivers will help the party. He dismisses the charge of the INDIA bloc that former chief minister Hemant Soren is being targeted, saying it is clear that he indulged in corruption. Excerpts:
Q/ In 2019, the NDA won 12 of 14 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand. What is the target this time?
A/ The BJP has always done well in Jharkhand in the Lok Sabha elections. The reason for this is clear―whenever the BJP has been in power at the Centre, it has delivered. The record of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a leader who delivers what he promises is appreciated by the people. Also, the expectations with which the people of Jharkhand had voted in the JMM-Congress government in 2019 have not been met. We are confident that we will win all 14 Lok Sabha seats and also the assembly byelection in Gandey.
Q/ What are the key poll issues in Jharkhand?
A/ Law and order is a key issue. If the law and order situation is not good, employment cannot be generated. The common people need to feel secure. The other major issue is corruption. In Jharkhand, corruption is taking place under the protection of those in power.
Q/ Your political opponents say the arrest of Hemant Soren is an attack on adivasi pride.
A/ The common people know how widespread corruption is in Jharkhand. A chief minister takes mining lease in his own name, procures land in the industrial area in his wife’s name and his family indulges in illegal land deals with his protection. What does all these show? For Bhumihari land, which cannot be sold, you get forged papers made in someone else’s name and then erect a boundary wall around it. This is corruption, money laundering.
Q/ How do you look at the importance of the Soren family in Jharkhand politics?
A/ Shibu Soren, no doubt, carried out an agitation for a separate state. But fighting for a separate state and then looting it after coming to power don’t go well together. If you carry out a loot, you will have to go to jail. This is exactly why his reputation was spoiled and he went to jail.
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Q/ Hemant Soren’s wife, Kalpana, has come to the political forefront.
A/ We all knew it was bound to happen when Sarfaraz Ahmad (Gandey MLA) was made to resign. It was evident that she would contest. Hemant Soren cannot think beyond the family, and he could have made her the chief minister then itself. However, Champai Soren was made chief minister. Now, she is contesting the election. But I feel that just as Shibu Soren had to face defeat in the Tamar region, she will also lose.
Q/ The other daughter-in-law of Shibu Soren, Sita, has joined the BJP, although she faced bribery charges.
A/ We don’t have anything to do with the case against her. Yes, there is a case against her pertaining to Rajya Sabha election. She has left the JMM because she was a victim of neglect over there.
Q/ The JMM-Congress alliance has accused the BJP of trying to destabilise the government.
A/ It is a baseless allegation. It is a different matter when MLAs belonging to the ruling side are dissatisfied and they meet people, and it gives rise to speculation.