PATNA: After the BJP’s clear-cut victory in the Jharkhand polls, the question now is who the next Chief Minister will be, as the saffron party is yet to reveal its choice.
For the first time, the BJP is seriously considering a non-tribal Chief Minister for the state. Though the leadership issue will be decided by the Parliamentary board, several names of likely choices are doing rounds in the political circle. One of the frontrunners is former Deputy Chief Minister Raghubar Das, who comes from a non-tribal community.
When asked about his likely candidature, the MLA from Jamshedpur said,” I am grateful to the people of Jamshedpur for their love, affection and support. I can assure the people of Jharkhand that Raghubar Das will always be there at their disposal.”
Another MLA from the city, Saryu Rai, famous for standing up against corruption, is also being considered for the coveted post.
Sources said he shares a close bond with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had called the former “an old friend from Jamshedpur”.
Former Speaker C P Singh, who won from Ranchi for th efifth consecutive term, is also in the chief ministerial race. He is the party’s most popular non-tribal leader.
A senior party leader hinted that the BJP may form an alliance with Babulal Marandi’s Jharkhand Vikas Morcha. Marandi was the first BJP Chief Minister of Jharkhand, but has lost the election this time.