As Jharkhand is all set to elect its new government during the upcoming state assembly elections, where polls will be held in two phases, the political fever is running high. On the one hand, there is the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the incumbent government which is fighting the elections to return to power, and on the other hand, there is the BJP-led coalition which is going all guns blazing against its opponents and is leaving no stone unturned to return to power. The BJP has alleged that under the JMM government led by Hemant Soren, there has been a surge in Bangladeshi infiltrators, a rise in love-jihad cases and Maoism too had raised its head. As the political activity heats up, Senior BJP leader, six-time MLA and BJP candidate from Ranchi, Chandreshwar Prasad Singh, also known as CP Singh, in an exclusive interview with Senior Assistant Editor of Organiser, Richa Kapoor talks about the steps that the BJP- led government would take to root out Bangladeshi infiltrators who have entered Jharkhand and finish those who are conspiring to promote love-jihad in the state. Excerpts
What is your take on the changes in the demography and the infiltration of the Bangladeshis in Jharkhand. What steps need to be taken to combat it if the BJP comes to power.
We will take all possible steps to fish out Bangladeshis who have infiltrated in Jharkhand and prove to be a big menace for the law and order situation in the state. Once BJP is voted to power, we will ensure that all those who are illegally staying are shown the way out to Bangladesh
The government under Raghubar Das tried to make changes to the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act. What is your take on it and will there be changes as there was a lot of hue and cry regarding it in the past?
Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act, will continue to stay and BJP-led government will not bring about any changes in it and it.
What is BJP’s take on the Asathaniya Niti? During the rule of the BJP, the bench mark year was determined as 1985. However, JMM is trying to change it to 1932. What will the BJP government do if it comes to power?
I would like to inform you that I was the minister in the BJP government when this setting up of the benchmark of 1985 happened. All those people will be considered as original citizens of Jharkhand who have been staying in the state since 1985. At that point of time, Jharkhand was part of Bihar. Also, there were a number of people at that point of time who were staying there since 1932, however, they are not the original inhabitants, but are outsiders. The incumbent JMM Government led by Hemant Soren has failed to bring about any concrete policy and implement it. Their only job is to fool the people and instigate their feelings and play with their emotions.
What is your take on the paper leaks that have rocked the state of Jharkhand? There have been several instances in the past five years when the paper leak cases have happened. What do you have to say on this?
The paper leak cannot happen without the connivance of the administration and the government. Once in a while if such incidents happen, then it is still okay but not acceptable. However, if it is happening on a regular basis then the government’s involvement cannot be ruled out. This clearly shows that there are loopholes in the system.
In order to combat this menace of paper leak, BJP government will not only bring in the law taking stringent action against the culprits involved in paper leak, it will ensure that such a law is implemented also. It is not a big thing to bring in a law, what the BJP government would ensure is that this law is effectively implemented.
In the past few years, there has been a surge in the love-jihad and terror activities in Jharkhand. What steps does the BJP plan to take to tackle this menace?
The menace of love jihad is an international conspiracy in which a lot of Islamic and other countries are involved. People from a particular community are promoting love jihad and they are getting support from Bangladesh and Pakistan. This is a toolkit that is operating and those who are involved in promoting love jihad, they are paid a hefty amount to execute this sinister plan. These people are working like professionals. Bharat is known to accept all kinds of religion. However, if one is trying to deceive by wearing a kalawa and changing his or her name, then that is not right. Once the BJP government is voted to power it will take all possible steps to root out this menace of love-jihad from the state.
During the regime of Raghubar Das, steps were taken to combat Maoist activities. However, Maoism has raised its head under the Hemant Soren government. How do you see this?
When Raghubar Das ji was in power, his government had taken such stringent measures that the Maoists went into hiding and red terrorism was on the verge of extinction as stringent measures were taken to combat it. Despite the government taking appropriate steps to root out the menace that is prevalent in the society, people voted it out of power and that is also unfortunate. Having said that, once we are voted to power, the BJP government at the centre along with the state government will take all possible steps to finish red terrorism from the roots.
In 2014, you defeated your opponent from JMM Mahua Manjhi by 58,863 votes and in 2019, the margin of victory was reduced to a little less than 6,000 votes. Is it because of a change in demography or what are the other reasons behind this change?
It is difficult to single out one particular reason for the lowering of the victory margin. There are several reasons for winning or losing an election. It is correct that in 2014 , I had won the elections by around 59,000 votes and in 2019, the margin of victory was reduced to less than six thousand votes, however, this time I will win the elections with a huge margin.
In the past five years of the JMM-Congress regime there has been rampant corruption in Jharkhand with huge amounts of currency being found in car of IAS Puja Singhal, while Dheeraj Sahu, Aalmgir Aalam along with CM Hemant Soren were behind the bars. What do you have to say about the prevalence of graft in the state as it has tarnished the image of Jharkhand across Bharat?
Corruption runs in their blood. They cannot stay alive without indulging in corrupt practices. Whether it is the JMM, RJD or the Congress party, for them money is everything. It is paramount for them. In Jharkhand corruption is rampant from bottom to top and now the people of the state are sick and tired of it.
JMM is fighting the election on the slogan, “JMM Ka Nara, Hemant Dobara.”
This slogan “JMM Ka Nara, Hemant Dobara.” merely resonates the sentiment of the corrupt. All those who are involved in graft too air similar slogans and they also say, “Hemant hai to himmat hai.” Thieves, pick pocketeers and all those who are involved in such wrong doings, they also air similar views.
Who is BJP’s CM face and are you among the key contenders?
The face of BJP in the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly polls is its symbol the ‘lotus’
How many seats is the BJP likely to win in the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly Polls?
BJP is likely to win 50-52 seats in the assembly elections that are going to be held in Jharkhand in the two phases.
