Excitement was palpable in the Steel City, as Jamshedpur East MlA Raghubar Das, took over as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Euphoria reached its crescendo as Das took an oath as the Chief Minister.
The supporters rejoiced as the local leader became the first non-tribal Chief Minister. The resounding victory of Das in the Assembly election has increased the stature of Das in the party. More than 70, 000 margin victory over the nearest rival has put Das above his competitors in the party.
BJP spokesperson Anil Modi said that Das played a perfect cool, without making noises about what his rivals and concentrated on making fool-proof strategy. “The outcome of the result has demonstrated that Raghubar is not just a leader of a community or caste specific rather a politician of all acceptance,” said Chandrashekar Mishra, district president of the party.
It is the popularity of Raghubar Das that the party bagged the largest vote share in any of the parliamentary elections held so far, since the inception of Jharkhand. People of Jamshedpur living in slums are also sounding positive. Incidentally, Raghubar Das had initiated the agitation for ownership rights to 86 urban slums (outside Tata Steel command areas) in 1994-95 under the banner of Basti Vikas Samity. The matter is sub-judice with the Jharkhand High Court.
“The verdict is a historic moment for us and we want to thank Modiji for his good leadership that resulted in victory. We want to celebrate every moment of it,” said a jubilant Nandji Prasad, district BJP president.