Though Guruji played a major role in the creation of Jharkhand, he failed to become its Gandhi. Nonetheless, his son Hemant has catapulted it from a State of political uncertainty to the threshold of a democratic Government.
It has certainly left people optimistic of Soren Junior’s potential to become the real hero. A man who can form a Government coming out of a hopeless situation — when all had started believing that Jharkhand would again have Assembly elections under President’s Rule — can do just about anything! So says a former Chief Secretary who expects wonder from the young CM-to-be.
The retired bureaucrat is confident Hemant will do well because he is a thinking type, sober and experienced. “He has leadership qualities and a will of his own, which he showed as Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Finance Minister. Else, he could not have achieved this Herculean task.”
Many others believe Hemant can achieve much, but only if he rises above self and family interests. He must beware of sycophants and pick good officers to work with. Besides, people want the new CM to take some radical decisions a la Anil Kapoor’s Nayak: The Real Hero.
It is often said that Guruji, without whose contribution Jharkhand would never have separated from Bihar, could have easily turned into a sort of the father of State by abstaining from active politics. However, his ardent wish to become Chief Minister without having the needed political support played spoilsport.
No Gandhi figure, he could not even become a successful Chief Minister. Twice, his Government fell within a short span of time.
Now, it is the turn of the next generation, to ensure he does not to repeat the mistakes of his father and face the harsh reality of why allies (read the Congress, RJD and the independent MlAs) have helped him become Chief Minister, says a former Minister. He quips, Hemant should watch Bollywood political thriller Nayak and turn into its protagonist, Shivaji Rao, to deal with his allies as Amrish Puri.
People feel Hemant should utilise the opportunity. In this do-or-die situation, he could become the State’s saviour. He can take lessons from Madhu Koda, who also became Chief Minister with the Congress’ support but later went to jail. Hemant has achieved a kind of cult figure, like Rajnikant, by bringing about what seemed an impossible turn of events. He has the Congress’ support till the next lok Sabha elections at least.
It is said the Congress — eyeing 10 MPs from Jharkhand — has played its cards well, Soren Junior may well deal the next hand.
Continued political instability has forced people to believe the State was better a part of unified Bihar or with President’s Rule or Union Territory status the solution. Hemant can give a good and stable Government, which would easily render the Congress mute.
“But, to deliver, Hemant needs to combat the biggest monster — corruption. He cannot do anything in selection of Ministers since parties will prop up their own, but he can certainly pick up the best bureaucrats,” notes a senior bureaucrat. The next CM will have to prove — where there’s a will there’s a way.