It could be the BJP’s answer to the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) strategy of inducting former bureaucrats and policemen. Former Jharkhand DGP Vishnu Dayal Ram took primary membership of the saffron brigade, along with 70 others, amid much fanfare at the party headquarters on Saturday.
The 1973 batch IPS officer is the man who had inspired Bollywood director Prakash Jha to make Gangajal , based on the infamous ‘ankhfodwa’ incidents of Bhaglapur in united Bihar. Ram had been Bhagalpur SP in the 1980s and retired as DGP in 2011.
At the ceremony, Ram said he would devote his time to social service with the party with a difference. “On this very important day, when I am starting a new innings in life, I express my heartfelt gratitude to all party leaders and workers,” Ram said.
“I have joined politics to serve people of the State. There is absolutely no greed for post, power or any other benefits. I have joined BJP because the leadership at all levels of this party is courageous. The party does not follow an appeasement policy, like others. It also does not make policies that are community-specific,” Ram said.
“While working as a public servant, I have got encouragement and affection from people, for which I am indebted. I have to pay back what I have got from Jharkhand,” he added.
The former DGP said political instability was a major hurdle in the State’s development and dependency of bigger parties on smaller and regional ones made it even more difficult to work in the right direction. Naxalism was also a huge hurdle, which could only be eliminated with strong willpower, according to Ram.
Referring to recent events of China intruding into Indian territory and Maoist problems, Ram said both internal and external national problems could be solved by a party like the BJP, which has a strong resolve. A weak Government (at the Centre) cannot take firm steps.
Earlier, welcoming Ram, senior party leaders — former Chief Minister Arjun Munda, State party president Ravindra Rai, former party president Dineshananda Goswami, senior leader Saryu Roy, former MP Devdas Apte, veteran leader Swaminath Tiwari and others — said the former policeman’s induction would bring a new lease of life to party workers.
It was also felt that his experience as a Government servant would help immensely. Senior leaders felt the State BJP unit urgently needs experienced people with a clean public image.
Meanwhile, party insiders hinted Ram was likely to contest the next Assembly polls from Kanke, replacing incumbent MlA Ramchandra Baitha.