As Jharkhand prepares to celebrate 25 years of its formation, the state's first chief minister Babulal Marandi has shared fascinating details about his unexpected selection for the top job in an exclusive interview with TOI.
The Unexpected Chief Minister
Babulal Marandi, currently serving as the opposition leader, revealed he never anticipated becoming Jharkhand's inaugural chief minister when the state was carved out of Bihar on November 15, 2000. The formation coincided with the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda during the tenure of late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
"I still remember very well that L K Advani ji had informed me the date for Jharkhand getting statehood. I was very happy that he decided on Nov 15," Marandi recalled during the Friday interview.
The selection process remains somewhat mysterious even today. "I remember that Advani ji had called all BJP MLAs to Delhi and spoke to everyone individually. I still don't know the conversations that happened there because at that time, some leaders were senior to me, but I was chosen for the post," he said.
The Moment of Truth
Marandi's certainty about his appointment came when he received a call from the PMO asking him to meet then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "I distinctly remember that day. When I met Vajpayee ji and he asked me to resign from the Union minister's post and go to Jharkhand and work there," Marandi recounted the Prime Minister's exact words: "Resignation dijiye aur Jharkhand jaa ke kaam kijiye."
The weight of responsibility was so overwhelming that Marandi confessed he couldn't sleep the night before taking oath as chief minister. While he doesn't recall his first official decision, he vividly remembers the anxiety about where to begin, given the numerous problems facing the newly formed state.
Reflections on Jharkhand's Journey
Marandi emphasized the historical significance of statehood for the region's people. "There used to be no representation from this area — the southern part of erstwhile undivided Bihar – and there used to be no acceptance of the people," he claimed, adding that "the pain we carried in our hearts died with the formation of the new state."
However, the former chief minister expressed disappointment with the current situation. He noted that tribal populations continue to struggle with poverty and haven't received adequate opportunities for skill development and technical education.
"The general law and order is not even okay here, even though the left-wing extremism is on the wane," Marandi observed critically.
Vision for Development and Current Concerns
Reflecting on his initial priorities, Marandi said, "As the first CM, my efforts were to make sure that people get employment. I wanted good hospitals, transport systems, hotels, lodges, and institutions to strengthen the economy."
He strongly advocated for a double-engine government, stating it benefits equitable progress through coordination with the Union government.
Taking aim at the current administration, Marandi asserted that "the government does not have any vision." He highlighted concerning trends: "Small-scale enterprises are shutting down and people are moving out to places like Pune, Bangalore and New Delhi. The government should think about generating employment. There should be a development roadmap."
Marandi pointed to his own initiatives with pride, particularly a program supporting tribal students pursuing technical education outside the state. "My path or roadmap was good as it led to development…and if that had been followed, then at least 25,000 tribal students could have got technical education in the last 25 years," he claimed, noting the program no longer exists.
Looking ahead, Marandi identified quality institutes, healthcare centers, and business growth as urgent needs for Jharkhand's economic robustness. When asked what he would do with another chance as chief minister, he concluded: "I would resume all people-centric schemes."
