Champai Soren is big leader, will help BJP in a few seats

Jharkhand BJP chief and former chief minister Babulal Marandi said Champai Soren's joining will help the party in the assembly polls. In an interview to Kumar Anshuman, he spoke about the upcoming election, party's campaign, alliance and challenges ahead of the polls. Excerpts:

On you meeting PM after Champai Soren decided to join BJP

Prime Minister Modi is also the leader of our party. Being the state chief, I apprised him of the political situation in the state and sought his guidance. He made some suggestions which we will implement now.


Are you unhappy with Soren joining the party?

I don't know where this came from. In fact, the discussion about Champai Soren started within the party right from the day he was removed as CM. A feeler was sent to him.

How will his joining help the party, especially in the Kolhan region?

Champai Soren has been a strong leader of the Jharkhand movement along with Shibu Soren. Today, if he joins , the party will get strengthened. He will have an impact on a few seats. The BJP also has a strong presence in Kolhan region as we won the Jamshedpur Lok Sabha seat.

On BJP accommodating outsiders

It is natural some partymen would feel dissatisfied if a leader joins from another party. It is part of human nature. But there is a difference between any party worker and BJP workers. Our workers' commitment is to the ideology of the party, with a motto of 'Nation First'.

Is BJP willing to accommodate AJSU, JDU and even LJP (R)?

The discussion is almost complete with the AJSU. The central leadership is in discussion with the other parties.

On sympathy for Hemant Soren after he was sent to jail

He didn't go to jail as a freedom fighter. He went to jail in a corruption case. But Indian people are emotional and the JMM got the benefit in some tribal regions in the Lok Sabha election. Now he is out, and he is the CM. People are asking him about his governance record of the last four and a half years.

On Jharkhand's cash scheme for women

Hemant Soren has lost credibility. If he was serious, why didn't he give it earlier? On the contrary, the BJP has a track record of fulfilling promises, right from state to central government.

On Jharkhand becoming a hub for cybercrime

It is not only limited to Jharkhand. Cybercrime will be a national challenge for us in days to come. If you go to the circuit house in Jamtara, Jharkhand, police officers from other states are always camping there. The central government is doing every possible thing to check this menace.

On priorities if BJP forms the government in the state

It will be an NDA government, and anyone can become chief minister. Being the state president, my duty is to instil confidence among the people about the BJP as a party which can run the state and resolve their basic issues, be it law and order, infrastructure, health or education. The rest will follow automatically.