Breaking free from the calculus of tribal politics, the State BJP legislative Party on Friday chose party national vice-president Raghubar Das as their leader to be crowned as the first non-tribal Chief Minister of the State entrusting him a huge responsibility to steer the State towards development with support of a stable Government.
A delegation of legislators from BJP and AJSU led by Das later met Governor Syed Ahmed and presented the coalition's claim to form a Government in the State. The Governor has given his nod to the claim and is set to administer oath to the new CM in a grand function at Morhabadi Football stadium on Sunday, December 28.
AJSU leader Sudesh Mahto also handed over the Governor letter of support of his five legislators to the BJP on the occasion to make 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 the role of observer along with party's national vice-president Vinay Sahastrabuddhe, said that the name of Das was unanimously chosen by the party MlAs and no other name was discussed in the meeting. "Khunti MlA Neelkanth Singh Munda proposed Raghubar'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 hall of the State BJP office.
"I, on behalf of the central leadership and my colleagues, congratulate Raghubar Das for his selection. I also congratulate the people of Jharkhand to give an opportunity to the party on the call of our leader Narendra Modi," he added.
Das, on the other hand, 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.
"First priority after Cabinet formation is to ensure transparent governance in the State. Corruption-free governance, accountability in governance and development model as per Centre's plans will be the other areas of focus. The tribal population, minorities and the marginalised sections of society will be taken along in development process as their upliftment tops the agenda of the party," Das added.
Meanwhile, giving details of the swearing-in ceremony, State BJP spokesperson and former Rajya Sabha member Ajay Maroo said that the programme will be attended by Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi, BJP legislature Party leader of Bihar Sushil Modi, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Dharmendra Pradhan and party's national president Amit Shah among others.
"The swearing-in ceremony will be organised at Morhabadi Football Stadium at 11 pm. Although, the names of possible Cabinet members have not been finalised, one or two MlAs may be administered oath of office as Ministers with RaghubarJee. The decision on the shape of the Cabinet may be taken soon in consultation with the Central leadership," said Maroo.
Sources, however, revealed that the name of Jamshedpur West MlA Saryu Roy is likely to be finalised for the post of Speaker of the House. Other prominent faces for new Cabinet include RK Kishore, Shivshankar Oraon, Biranchi Narayan, louis Marandi, Dr Neera Yadav, Anant Ojha, from BJP and Chandra Prakash Chaudhary and KK Bhagat from AJSU are doing the rounds for inclusion in the Cabinet, said sources.
Meanwhile, some tribal and minority oraganisations protested against the decision of the BJP to select a non-tribal leader for CM's post on Friday and burnt effigy of Amit Shah and Narendra Modi at Albert Ekka Chowk. The organisations also called for a two-day Jharkhand bandh on December 27 and 28 against the decision.
The Chief Minister designate will leave for Delhi on Saturday morning to meet the Prime Minister and senior leaders of the party. It is believed that the discussions related to shape and nature of the Cabinet will be discussed in the meeting there.