The Narendra Modi factor in BJP’s Lok Sabha victory has been ubiquitous. Despite that, it wasn’t easy for BJP in Jharkhand where it faced a strong challenge from the Congress-JMM alliance. Eventually, the NDA alliance there won 12 of 14 seats. Jharkhand’s BJP chief minister Raghubar Das speaks to Akhilesh Kumar Singh about the Lok Sabha polls and the party’s prospects in the assembly elections set to be conducted later in the year:

Did you expect such a huge victory against the alliance of Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha?

The welfare schemes of the Narendra Modi government and the growth oriented initiatives of the state have made a visible impact among people who were in actual need of assistance. Results reflect that good work is rewarded and can collapse the wall of caste politics. BJP managed to win the support of all sections, including tribal society. As we ensured holistic development, I was hopeful of a grand BJP win.

BJP defeated JMM founder Shibu Soren from Dumka Lok Sabha seat in Santhal Pargana region, his first such loss. Can you repeat this performance in assembly polls in Santhal region?

People of Santhal have seen the actual face of the political parties and the families using them as a vote bank and doing nothing in return. It has been over 40 years since the parties represented the region but they had no plan for its development. The past four-and-a-half years have brought visible changes with new roads and regular power supply. Besides, our focus has been on promoting the Santhali culture. Even at railway stations, announcements are made in Santhali language. People of Santhal, mainly the youth, realised that BJP is the only party which has a vision for the development of the region.

State polls will be a different ball game as there won’t be the Modi factor. Won’t the combined opposition be a bigger challenge than in the Lok Sabha polls?

My assessment is based on our performance. As PM Modi said, for the first time there is a pro-incumbency undercurrent in the state. Lok Sabha results reflect pro-incumbency in favour of the state government too. I am sure it will be repeated in the assembly polls as well. I am not saying there are no shortcomings but we are moving in the right direction.

Jharkhand has seen large scale migration for jobs. Have you been able to contain the trend?

Soon after I took over as CM, a policy against migration was drafted. Left Wing Extremism (LWE) was taking a huge toll on development. However, we focussed on small scale industry, agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries. Textiles and food processing sectors have also been boosted across the state. There are six gurukuls working under the supervision of former managing director of Tata Steel, B Muthuraman, giving skill development training to the youth. There has been 100% placement in these gurukuls. We have 1.16 lakh sakhi mandals of women, who are given grants and loans for financial empowerment and 34 lakh women are self-reliant now. We have contained migration of the state youth particularly of women to a large extent.

Doesn’t industrialisation still remain a challenge in the state?

Every industry has its own importance but medium and small scale industry is more suitable for states like Jharkhand. In small industry, less capital will be required and it generates more jobs. For example, Rs 1 crore of investment can generate 70 jobs. Big industries have also come up in the state but our thrust has been on medium and small industries. Heavy mechanisation in bigger industries takes away jobs so we are careful about bringing in maximum jobs with minimum investment.

LWE has often been written off but a major attack took place recently that killed several jawans. Can you claim that Jharkhand is free of Maoists?

We have taken parallel steps to wipe out Naxalites from the state. It was not only a police challenge but also about winning confidence of the people, which we have done with jobs and holistic development like electric supply and new roads. Several areas in places like Lohardaga, Latehar and Chaibasa were unreachable, providing a safe den for the Naxalites. But we have constructed roads. Besides, local men and women have been recruited in police force. I can say with conviction that LWE is taking its last breath in the state.

Hasn’t a key BJP poll plank been about containing religious conversions, mainly among the tribals?

Poverty and lack of development have been factors leading to religious conversions. Thrust on individual empowerment and local area development are the only ways to contain conversions.