In 2019 assembly elections, BJP lost power to JMM/Congress combine due to shifting of the tribal vote bank from the Saffron party to the JMM. Out of 28 tribal seats, BJP was successful in winning only two seats. Two years down the line the party is working hard to once again consolidate its position among a numerically strong tribal votebank.
The party in this connection, on Thursday organised the ST morcha working committee meet in the Capital, where severe resolutions were passed. The chief guest of the one day working committee meet was party national general secretary V Satish.
Satish, paying his respect to tribal icons, asked the party workers to reach out to tribals. He asked the state ST morcha members to reach out to pockets having tribal population in small groups highlighting the work and contribution of BJP for tribals. He asked ST morcha members to have discussion with tribal thinkers and elders knowing their problems and their views for BJP.
Satish said, "For the first time eight tribals have been made ministers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi cabinet." He further said that by inducting such a large number of tribal ministers in Cabinet, PM strengthens the view of Sabka Saath Sabka Viswas.
Addressing the gathering, state first chief minister and BJP legislative party leader Babulal Marandi said that BJP is only party which is well wisher of tribals in true sense.
Targeting the Hemant Soren government, Marandi talked about the rise in atrocities against Tribal in the present regime.
He said, "Months after the JMM/Congress government came to power, innocent tribals were massacred in Chaibasa. The descendant of freedom fighter Sidho Kanho was killed, but the State government decided to keep mum over the issue."
Marandi also raised the mysterious death of police inspector Roopa Tirkey in Sahibganj last year.
He also said the present government has stopped the monthly payment to pagans and other tribal religious priests.
He also raised the issue where the present government stopped beautification plan of tribal religious sites.
BJP Rajya Sabha member and party state general secretary Samir Oraon also talked about BJP work for tribal communities.
The working committee was also attended by union minister Fagan Singh Khulste where he highlighted the various welfare schemes of the Modi government stating that tribals and marginalized sections of society are biggest beneficiaries of such schemes.
The working committee meeting was also attended by former minister Neelkanth Singh Munda, Dumka MP Sunil Soren, Ranchi Mayor Asha Lakra, former Assembly speaker Dinesh Oraon, former MLA Gangotri Kujur, Shivshankar Oraon.