Raghubar Das, former CM and Governor, rejoins BJP

Raghubar Das, former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, officially rejoined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday at a ceremony held at the party’s state headquarters in Ranchi. The event was attended by several senior party leaders, including state president Babulal Marandi, working president Ravindra Rai, Union Minister Sanjay Seth, and a large number of BJP supporters. His return to the BJP comes after a brief tenure as the Governor of Odisha, a post he resigned from in December 2023 to re-engage in active politics.

Das served as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand from 2014 to 2019 and was the first non-tribal person to hold the position. During his tenure, the BJP attempted to consolidate its hold in Jharkhand but faced a significant setback in the 2024 assembly elections. Despite a full-scale campaign, the BJP secured only 21 seats in the 81-member assembly, falling far short of the 28 seats required to form a majority. In contrast, the JMM-led coalition emerged victorious, winning 56 seats and retaining power for a second consecutive term.

At the event, Das acknowledged the defeat in the elections but reaffirmed his belief in the party's future success. He mentioned that setbacks were part of politics and urged the BJP’s members to remain steadfast in their commitment to the party’s principles. "We will come back soon," he assured his supporters. His re-entry into the party was marked by expressions of gratitude for the respect and honor he received from the BJP leadership. Das also emphasized the significance of his second membership with the BJP since 1980.

Das further discussed the current political scenario in Jharkhand, where the Hemant Soren-led government has been in power since the 2024 elections. He expressed respect for the electoral mandate given to the government but emphasized the need for accountability. Das mentioned that the BJP would give the government two to three months to fulfill its promises. If the government failed to meet its commitments to the people, he vowed that the BJP would take its struggle to the streets, emphasizing the party’s readiness to hold the government accountable.

Das’s return to active politics is seen as a key moment for the BJP in Jharkhand, which is undergoing leadership reassessment. The party is expected to finalize a new state president in February 2025. As a prominent OBC leader, Das’s return is expected to play a significant role in the party’s future strategy in the state. In addition to his tenure as Chief Minister, Das has previously served as the state BJP president and National Vice President. Discussions are ongoing about his potential role in strengthening the party’s organizational structure, both at the state and national levels.