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The Rediff Interview/Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi

'I will take care of the malcontents'

The cacophony would have rattled the steeliest of nerves. But Babulal Marandi was unfazed.

Being sworn in as the first chief minister of the newly formed state of Jharkhand, Marandi was in for a tumultuous welcome. Just before Governor Prabhat Kumar administered the oath of office, there was a bitter exchange of words between his (Marandi's) protagonists and antagonists.

Outside, hooting sirens of riot control vans raced across the roads leading to the Raj Bhawan. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief Shibu Soren's followers had already been denied access to the gubernatorial residence by gun-toting cops from the central police forces -- not given to any mollycoddling of the aggressive locals.

Yet, amidst the palpable tension, Marandi kept his cool.

The presence of central ministers and senior party colleagues at the swearing-in ceremony was some source of reassurance. Not that Marandi was apprehensive of being upstaged by Soren.

A day after his momentous swearing-in ceremony, the chief minister went to pay obeisance to Birsa Munda, Jharkhand's revered dhartiaba, (god of the land), about 60km from Ranchi. Before setting out, he spoke to Special Correspondent Tara Shankar Sahay about how he intended to guide the destiny of India's 28th state. Excerpts:

The extremists are making their presence felt in Jharkhand. Only a few hours back, the area commander of the Maoist Coordination Centre, Pradeep Pramanik, escaped from hospital. The situation is really grim. How do you intend to tackle the menace?

Left extremism in this region has been going on for over a decade. It is a serious problem. I have already emphasised that fighting this extremist menace is going to be my government's first priority.

A civilised society cannot tolerate the law of the gun, but the writ of law. Therefore, we will crack down on these extremists with a heavy hand.

My government has prepared an action plan to curb this menace. I have just assumed power. Give me some time to prove that this National Democratic Alliance government headed by me is determined to crush the extremism.

To merely call the extremist situation grim is an understatement. The MCC and PWG activists have resorted to highway robbery and are forcibly occupying agricultural land. They are bold enough to snatch arms from policemen.

Is your government equipped to meet the dangerous situation?

Jharkhand has just taken birth. The Bihar government has done very little to curb the extremist menace. Rather, it has tacitly provided encouragement to the extremists for its political benefit. What is happening here today is the direct result of this negligence. But as I have pointed out, you need political will to tackle this menace and my government is prepared to root it out.

Jharkhandis have been consistently complaining that their area has been given the go-by as far as development is concerned. What is your government's priority in the area?

I will begin with basic infrastructural development. For instance, roads in Jharkhand will be developed. My aim is to have our new state well connected by road.

Then we intend to take care of the irrigational facilities. For far too long our farmers have complained about the lack of water reservoirs and are dependent on the monsoon. These lacunae will be removed.

Education is another vital sphere where my government is determined to give the priority it deserves. Power is another priority because it affects not only the people but the industrial development of Jharkhand. These are the primary areas after which my government will move on to other aspects of development.

What about employment?

Yes, my government will strive to generate employment in our state. Not only in terms of providing jobs to the youth, my government will also ensure that various incentives and initiatives are provided in different fields so that people can benefit both financially and socially. Also, industrial development will provide jobs, apart from incentives for self-employment.

What is this controversy about the extremist movement in Jharkhand partially being 'hijacked' by anti-social elements?

Well, there is truth that some anti-social elements masquerading as Left extremists have taken control by indoctrinating poor and illiterate peasants about their rights. But whatever the reality, the fact is that you cannot force the law of the gun in a civilised society. My government is very clear about that. We are determined to root out extremism and we will act decisively.

Soren says that compared to his sacrifices for the creation of Jharkhand, your contribution is negligible and that you are scarcely known outside Delhi. What is the reality?

If he is so popular, why have the people in this region been voting for the BJP for so many years. I have been elected not only as the leader of BJP legislature party but also of the NDA. So you can gauge who is popular, I don't have to waste my breath.

The people of Jharkhand can never forget that Soren has joined hands with Laloo Yadav -- the man who said the state would be created over his dead body -- so they will teach them both an appropriate lesson.

The people know that I am a determined person. They expect their chief minister to take care of the malcontents here. I will.

Talk persists that the JMM is still trying to muster legislative support for itself in Jharkhand?

(Laughs) Soren reportedly gave a list of 36 legislators to the governor to stake his claim for the chief ministership. Why do you think the governor rejected his claim? So let them build castles in the air.

But Laloo has been saying that Guruji (Soren) will soon assume office as chief minister of Jharkhand.

Laloo has been saying that he will become the prime minister. What's new about Laloo's legends?

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