Admitting the fact that there was difference of opinion among the leaders over changes being made in CNT and SPT Acts, newly-appointed State BJP president laxman Gilua said that he would talk to the central leadership to protect the interests of the tribal and indigenous people of the State.
Gilua was talking to media persons at the party office, arriving here for the first time after being appointed as the State BJP president, on Friday.
“I hope that the matter will be resolved through dialogue,” said Gilua. “The life of a tribal is based on 'jal, jungle and zameen' (water, forest and land), which will be on the top of the priority list,” he added.
When asked whether he was against the amendment to the CNT and SPT Acts, he said that he will do whatever could be done for the betterment of the State.
Reacting to a question over the State's domicile policy, Gilua said that it is better than that of the other two States which were formed along with Jharkhand in the year 2000, but the doors are still open for amendments to it.
“If we compare it with the other two States - Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand - which were formed together along with Jharkhand in the year 2000, we have given a cutoff date of 1985 (30 years) while the other two States have given a cutoff date of 2002, hence it could be said that our domicile policy is better than the other two States,” said Gilua.
Moreover, the Government was willing to make necessary changes in it. What else could be better, said the State BJP president.
“If the Indian Constitution could be amended for the betterment of the people, the domicile policy could also be amended at any point of time in case it is required,” added Gilua.
Admitting the fact that there were lots of challenges before him as BJP State chief, he said that he would face them with a smiling face in consultation and cooperation of the senior party leaders so that the organization gets strengthened further in the State.
"Whenever I take a step further, I will ensure that I do have the consent and blessings of the senior party leaders. I think there will be no problem, if I move further with this thinking," said the new BJP State president.
Gilua also believed that Jharkhand was a tribal dominated State and there were several challenges in this regard also…but such challenges could be overcome effectively through cooperation with each other.
"If there is better coordination between the State Government and the party organization, there will not be any problem," said Gilua.
He said that he will strengthen BJP party organisation, facilitate better coordination with the State Government and help party members adequately publicise the achievements of the BJP-led Government in the State.
Gilua thanked everybody right from the central leadership to the ground level workers of the party for putting such a big responsibility of State party president on his shoulders.
Earlier, Gilua was given a welcome at Birsa Munda airport by BJP workers as soon as he landed there. Hundreds of party workers from Chaibasa were also present at the airport to welcome and congratulate Gilua.