Can't join hands with Soren: Marandi

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) founder Babulal Marandi, with his 11 MLAs, clearly holds the key to forming another ministry in his state after the collapse of the JMM-BJP-JD(U)-AJSU alliance government. However, Mr Marandi, the state’s first chief minister who walked out of BJP, is in no hurry. A leader with a clean image, the 52-year-old Marandi does not want to take any step out of political expediency, and is willing to bide his time. Mr Marandi, who was in Jamshedpur, spells out his plans to ET in a telephonic conversation with Devesh Kumar:

How do you react to Shibu Soren voting against BJP-sponsored cut-motions in the Lok Sabha?

Frankly, I was not aware of it. But it is a manifestation of the overall deterioration and decline in the country’s polity.

How will it impact Jharkhand?

Between 2003 and 2009, Jharkhand was reduced to being a laboratory for conducting political experiments. No political party remained untouched. Power became a source of furthering family interests and making money. The decline is there for all to see.

Did you have inkling about the collapse in JMM-BJP ties?

No one has spoken to me about it.

Would you be willing to join an alternative government?

The mandate in Jharkhand is such that a coalition of political forces has become necessary. We are willing to be a part of an alliance which can work for the interests of the people.

Would you be willing to join hands with JMM?

We’re doing politics for the people. But we cannot work for bettering the interests of the people in the company of such elements.

What is JVM’s next programme?

Our party has organised a mahadhiveshan in Ranchi on May 22-23. We are at present busy working overtime to make it a success. It will be a unique programme, in which over a lakh people, drawn from every panchayat in the state, will assemble in the state capital and stay put in tents for two days.