At his residence in Silli, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) President and former Deputy Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Sudesh Mahto, spoke exclusively with Organiser’s Senior Assistant Editor, Nishant Kumar Azad. During the interview, Mahto shared his perspective on the state’s challenges and outlined his vision for its future. He addressed critical issues, including land reforms, the problem of Bangladeshi infiltrators, paper leak scandals, the departure of senior leaders from AJSU, and more. Excerpts:
In the 2014 Jharkhand Assembly elections, you formed a coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and successfully formed the Government. However, in the 2019 Assembly elections, you decided to part ways with BJP and faced a loss. Did this defeat prompt you to reconsider your strategy and lead you to rejoin hands with the BJP for 2024?
The split in 2019 made us realise the importance of being united, and this sentiment was echoed by the people of Jharkhand as well. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) did not secure a full majority in the 2019 polls, indicating that the electorate did not entirely back them. JMM’s victory was largely due to vote division that occurred after AJSU parted ways with the BJP.
In 2014, you lost the Silli seat to Amit Kumar but managed to win it back in 2019. This time again, you are set to face him again. Do you feel confident about securing another victory?
I approach every election with the same mindset, regardless of the opponent. After the 2014 defeat, we carefully analysed the reasons behind our loss and adjusted our strategy accordingly. My focus is always on the future, looking ahead at the next target and the opportunities that lie ahead, rather than dwelling on past outcomes. The identity of my opponent doesn’t concern me.
Just before the elections, several members from AJSU, including Former party Vice President Umakant Rajak, left. How do you view this development and what impact will it have on AJSU?
This kind of shifting allegiance is common in politics today. Interestingly, many candidates and leaders now contesting elections in other parties started their political careers with AJSU before moving on. These individuals are often driven by ambition and are unwilling to wait for the party’s growth or opportunities. It’s a reality that many politicians today lack a deep connection to party ideology; they are more focused on securing a ticket to win a seat.
During my visit to Ranchi University, several students expressed their concerns about paper leaks and the lack of job opportunities. If your party comes to power, how do you plan to address these issues?
Paper leaks are a serious problem that undermines the efforts of students, who have prepared diligently for exams. It disheartens them and sends a message that hard work doesn’t pay off. The current Government has failed to conduct examinations properly, with multiple instances of paper leaks across at least five/six major exams. If we come to power, we will implement strict laws to tackle this issue, ensuring transparency and integrity in the examination process.
Despite Jharkhand having many Chief Ministers from the Tribal community, why does the community still lag behind in development?
The main reason is the lack of genuine commitment from those who held power to uplift the Tribal community. Shibu Soren, a prominent figure since the 1980s, has served in various Ministries at the national level. In Sidho/Kanhu’s name both he and his son Hemant Soren came to power five times in the State but did nothing for tribals. Their politics seem to lack a focus on development. The more backward the society remains, the more it benefits their political agenda. You can compare their constituencies with others, and you’ll see a stark difference in development. Despite ruling the State for years, they have given little back to their voters.
The issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants is a prominent topic for the BJP, but it was noticeably absent from AJSU’s manifesto. Why was this not included?
There are far more pressing issues for Jharkhand than the problem of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. While it’s true that illegal entry from another country is a serious concern, it is primarily a national issue. This problem arises due to Jharkhand’s border with West Bengal, and the Bengal Government has not been as cooperative as expected, giving a free pass to these immigrants. Identifying and deporting illegal immigrants is a matter that should be handled collaboratively by both the State and the } Central Government.
Your manifesto talks about the concept of a ‘Bhoomi Passbook.’ Can you explain what this is and why it is needed?
Land/related disputes are one of the biggest challenges people face in our State today. We are still following practices like Vanshavalis (family records), where land ownership isn’t officially transferred from father to son, causing family conflicts. Additionally, bureaucratic inefficiencies and paper/based records have resulted in rightful landowners losing their properties, with land often being transferred incorrectly due to documentation issues.
Will the ‘Bhoomi Passbook’ help address issues like land grabbing and Land Jihad?
Yes, absolutely. It will help in identifying legitimate landowners and prevent unauthorised claims. By digitising land records, we can reduce disputes, ensure transparency, and protect the rights of the true landowners.
Jairam Mahto has emerged as a strong face on Jharkhand’s political scene. How much of a threat do you see him posing to you?
Politics is a space where new faces constantly appear, bringing fresh narratives and making attractive promises. However, when it comes time to deliver on these promises, they often realise it’s not as easy as it seems. When I was elected as an MLA for the first time at the age of 25, there was an opportunity to join the Government in Bihar. Lalu Yadav, who was short of a majority, offered me a Ministerial position. I turned it down on the very first day because I was firm on my stance that Jharkhand should become a separate State. I was ready to sit in opposition rather than compromise on this core issue.
If the NDA forms the Government, what role can the public expect for Sudesh Mahto?
The public’s perception and the party’s decisions are different. In our system, once we secure a victory, it’s up to the NDA leadership to sit together and decide who will take on what responsibilities. For now, I am confident that an NDA Government will be established in the state.
