Breaking new ground in the hitherto tribal-dominated Jharkhand politics, the State BJP legislative party on Friday chose party national vice president Raghubar Das as its leader to be crowned as the first non-tribal Chief Minister of the State.
led by Das, a delegation of legislators from the BJP and AJSU later met Governor Syed Ahmed and presented the coalition’s claim to form a Government in the State. The Governor is set to administer oath to the new CM in a grand function at Morabadi Football Stadium on Sunday, December 28.AJSU party leader Sudesh Mahto also handed over to the Governor a letter of support from his five legislators to the BJP — making the total tally of the coalition 42 in the 81-member Assembly. The magic figure to prove majority in the House stands at 41.
Earlier, making a formal announcement of Das’ selection, Union Health Minister JP Nadda — in his role an observer along with party’s national vice president Vinay Sahastrabuddhe — said that the name of Das was unanimously chosen by the party MlAs. “Khunti MlA Neelkanth Singh Munda proposed Raghubarji’s name, which was seconded by Ranchi MlA CP Singh and Jamshedpur East MlA Saryu Roy. All MlAs supported the motion,” Nadda announced in the jam-packed State BJP office.
Das expressed his gratitude to the people and party members for bearing faith in him. “I am thankful to the people of the State and my party to give a labourer’s son such a huge responsibility. I will try my best to ensure that the State is run with a vision of development and good governance as outlined by the party during elections,” said Das giving his first reaction.