The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led INDIA alliance clinched a second consecutive term by winning 56 of Jharkhand’s 81 Assembly seats as it left the BJP-led NDA reeling with just 24 seats.

In an interview with The Indian Express, state BJP chief Babulal Marandi speaks on a range of issues including what went wrong for the party, why its infiltration pitch did not resonate among voters, the road ahead for the party, and his probable role in the Opposition. Excerpts:

The result was not in our favour. We are worried as our workers had given us positive feedback. Is prakar ki umeed nahi thi (This was unexpected).

One of the reasons (for the JMM’s success) is probably the deep percolation of the Maiyya Samman Yojana (financial assistance scheme for underprivileged women), whose impact we were unable to gauge. The poor saw this as an immediate relief and it made an impact.

There were no misses from the BJP’s end. All big party leaders came (to Jharkhand) and were able to convey a message to the people. We are deliberating on it (the loss).

The message was two-pronged – infiltration and corruption. More than the people rejecting our message, the people saw benefit in the Maiyya Samman Yojana and thus voted for the JMM.

Another reason was the new political player (Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha chief) Jairam Mahato, whose candidates secured votes across several constituencies. While the JLKM won only one seat, its leaders polled more votes than the victory margin in at least 16 seats.

Yes, we can say that. Moreover, our ally AJSU Party, on whom we were relying, could not hold on to its core votes. While they were also affected, we were affected on the seats we contested.

No, I don’t think so. In 2014 too, we had gone into the polls without a CM face and managed to secure 37 seats on our own.

There is no shortcut to this. We have to work among them and earn their trust. It cannot be done only with a face but needs to be done organisationally and through our policies. Pehle worker, phir samarthak, phir mass (Worker first, supporter next and then the masses). We have to fight elections keeping all-time development in mind.

I don’t think so. They have not been with us since the beginning. Like the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) says, Sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas (With everyone, for everyone’s development and to earn everyone’s trust). Vikas is not subject to discrimination. Like the Atal Bihar Vajpayee government, the Modi government or any other BJP-led state government has not resorted to favouritism.

The PMAY and Ayushman Bharat schemes are benefiting everyone while toilets are being built for those in need, irrespective of political affiliations. Everyone is getting support. Farmers are getting money in their bank accounts and no particular community or religion is being chosen (as beneficiaries).

The point is that some sections do not want to vote for the BJP as the Congress has instilled fear in their hearts for years.

We are not polarising voters but seeking votes on the development pitch. What is the problem with Modi’s ek rahoge toh safe rahoge (united, we are safe) slogan? Don’t we all, in our homes and villages adhere to the saying, ghar toote toh gawar loote (When a house is broken, a village is looted)? It is for everyone to see that the country becomes a slave for a thousand years when it is divided.

Anti-BJP people propagate it like this. You must have never heard Modiji saying, “All Hindus, awake, unite…”. It is for the sake of the country that the slogan was coined. Ek nahi rahoge toh doosre log mehfil sajayenge (If we are not united, others will arrange a banquet).

I do not think so. We need to look at the history of the country. While there were people standing by Lord Ram, there were also people standing with Ravan. There were people with Krishna as well as with Kansa. In the Mahabharata, there were two camps that fought against one another.

Similarly, in politics too there will be people on either side. However long Lalu Prasad Yadav remained in jail, his support base had been standing by him. This will keep happening but it does not mean someone does something wrong and we tolerate it. It needs to be protested against or wrong people will thrive.

I admit that he (Soren) holds sway among people who thought their leader was being implicated and tricks were played in his defence.

Even with the wars happening now, some countries are standing by Ukraine while some are with Russia. Same is the case with Palestine and Israel. I am not speaking about the pros and cons but trying to say that one’s support base stays intact.

That is not the case. Like I was saying, the anti-BJP vote needs a place and it is with the JMM.

See the number of our party workers from the religious minority as compared to our tribal workers, of whom we have no dearth. To this day, we do not have many workers from the minority community. We will try to change that as well but there is a fear instilled in their minds. We will rectify this and get rid of this “bhoot (ghost)”.

It (infiltration) may seem more or less, but it certainly exists. Since the first Census of Independent India in 1951 to the one in 2011, there has been a 10% reduction of tribal population in Jharkhand while in Santhal Pargana, the fall has been 16%. This is a big number and the reduction of population will adversely impact reservations, which are based on population.

The next Census will be held in 2025. If it shows a reduced tribal population, the next delimitation will see a reduction of seats for them in the Lok Sabha, Assemblies and government services. We need to educate them about this to help them understand the truth. The current magnitude of population rise (among minorities) cannot be organic.

While we will constructively cooperate with the government in the Assembly, we will also raise our voice if something is wrong.

What badmashi? Won’t we protest if he engages in loot? Where did the crores and crores of rupees recovered during the last government’s tenure come from?

I read in the papers about the seizure of property documents worth crores from the home of Soren’s personal assistant, whose wife is the director of 18 companies with links to Dubai. Even if he (Soren) wants people not to talk about it, this is not an autocracy. It is true that the people have given him the mandate but he needs to work well and in a transparent manner. If there is “gadbad (discrepancy)”, we will protest.

These are not allegations but the truth. For example, one of our MLAs, a former Speaker, alleged on the floor of the House that arms licences are being sold for Rs 3 lakh but the CM just hears this and does nothing. He should have called the home secretary, police and chief secretary to order a probe into the allegations. Action should have been taken if the allegation was true.

As legislators, we can either write to the government (on such issues) or raise them in the Assembly. While Soren did nothing, he accused the BJP MLAs. If he thinks the BJP will stay quiet, it will not. We have to do chowkidaari (guard) for the mandate he has got.

We are yet to do so. The results have just come and there is no rush.

I spoke to the (BJP) national president… I had called him to ask how he was keeping. Nothing over and above that.

No individual leads the BJP. It is collectively led as we are not a dynastic party. Our roles keep changing. Today, I have the responsibility (of state party president) but our party Constitution mandates only two terms for a president.

I have seen many highs and lows in my 40-42 years in public life, so I do not get distracted. Even when I win, there is not too much enthusiasm. I will continue to work.

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