Known for his candid opinions and deep understanding of politics and governance, Inder Singh Namdhari remains as relevant today as he was four decades ago. The former Speaker of Jharkhand’s first Legislative Assembly, former MP from Chatra Lok Sabha, former Minister of Revenue and Land Reforms in the Bihar Government, and former Chairperson of Bihar State Road Transport Corporation, Namdhari’s contributions are widely respected. Though he has distanced himself from active politics, he continues to observe Jharkhand’s developments closely.
As Jharkhand prepares to elect new Legislative Assembly members and form a new government, the coming 12 days will determine which party or coalition will hold power. In an exclusive interview with Chandan Mishra and Swami DivyaGyan, Namdhari shares his views on what has gone wrong with Jharkhand and concerns over freebie politics.
Excerpts:
Question: Jharkhand is nearing 24 years of existence, with 12 governments formed so far, yet it still lags in development. What do you see as the reasons behind this?
Answer: The parties that fought for a separate state did not struggle to see this day. Since the formation of the state, Jharkhand has lacked visionary leadership, which has stunted its growth. Without leaders with foresight, Jharkhand remains where it started, with limited progress.
Question: Jharkhand witnessed 14 years of political instability, followed by a decade of stable government, yet development remained slow. Why is that?
Answer: Initially, Babulal Marandi, the state’s first Chief Minister, made some attempts. However, issues like the tribal vs. non-tribal divide and administrative corruption hindered progress. Specifically, corruption in high-level transfer postings and people paying bribes for every minor government service became a significant barrier.
Question: What policies and initiatives should be implemented to make Jharkhand a developed state and curb migration?
Answer: The lack of employment opportunities is a major issue here. Jharkhand is rich in mineral resources, which can be harnessed to set up industries. Additionally, developing the 20 major dams here can boost irrigation facilities, which would help agriculture flourish. With increased employment opportunities, migration could be reduced.
Question: During election season, political parties have started offering cash incentives. The ruling party promises Rs. 1000, the BJP Rs. 2100, and JMM Rs. 2500. Do you think such policies benefit development?
Answer: These are nothing but tactics to win elections. It’s hard to understand what kind of development political parties hope to achieve with Rs. 1000 or Rs. 2000. This will lead to increased corruption, as people may resort to bribery to claim these amounts. The state treasury will come under unnecessary strain. Instead, women’s empowerment can be promoted by linking them with self-employment schemes and strengthening self-help groups.
Question: The BJP has strongly raised the issue of Bangladeshi infiltrators in Jharkhand, claiming it has changed the demography of Santhal Pargana. What’s your view on this?
Answer: If this issue is so serious, why is it only raised during elections? I haven’t observed such a situation in Palamu, and only Assam’s Chief Minister could perhaps pinpoint areas where such populations exist. This seems like an attempt to create divisions between Hindus and Muslims.
Read Also: ED conducts raids in Jharkhand, Bengal in case linked to Bangladeshi infiltration
Question: These days, the language used in election rallies is becoming quite bitter. How do you see this trend?
Answer: This is a sad development. In earlier election rallies, we didn’t hear such bitter language. Leaders should be mindful of their words to prevent unnecessary discord within society.
Question: The level of debates in the Assembly has been declining, with legislators arriving unprepared and time being wasted in noise and chaos. What’s your view on this?
Answer: The responsibility for this decline lies with the Speaker of the Assembly. It’s essential for the Speaker to guide legislators, inform them about parliamentary proceedings, uphold traditions, and maintain discipline within the House. During our time, we ensured that legislators were aware of their duties and came prepared.
Question: What message would you like to give to the voters of Jharkhand as they prepare to vote on November 13 and November 20?
Answer: I urge voters to cast their votes without fear and avoid being divided along caste lines. Vote for the most qualified candidates in your area and do not fall for monetary temptations. A clean election will bring forward capable leaders and create a strong government.
