Political Emergence and Administrative Developments in Jharkhand- I

The political landscape of Jharkhand is deeply rooted in its socio-cultural evolution and the long-standing demands of its tribal communities. While cultural aspects like birth, marriage, death rites, and religious practices of the tribal communities have been covered earlier, this blog focuses on the pivotal moments of political formation and governance post the state’s creation.

Formation of Jharkhand

• Jharkhand emerged as the 28th state of India on the midnight of 14th November 2000, following the Bihar Reorganization Act, 2000.
• At the time of division, based on the 1991 Census:
  • Undivided Bihar had a total population of 88.674 million.
  • 64.530 million remained with Bihar, and 28.144 million formed the population of Jharkhand.
• Jharkhand was allocated:
  • 14 seats in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament).
  • 81 seats in the Vidhan Sabha (State Legislative Assembly).
• Initially, the state had 18 districts.

Inauguration Ceremony

• On the midnight of 14th November:
  • The national anthem was played at Raj Bhavan.
  • Prabhat Kumar, a retired IAS officer, took oath as the first Governor of Jharkhand.
• At 12:01 AM:
  • Chief Secretary V. S. Dubey read out the Presidential Warrant of Appointment for the Governor.
• At 12:05 AM:
  • Justice B.K. Gupta, acting Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court, administered the oath of office to Governor Prabhat Kumar.
• At 12:59 AM:
  • The Governor returned to the venue to swear in the first Chief Minister.
• At 1:05 AM:
  • Babulal Marandi took oath as the first Chief Minister of Jharkhand.
• The swearing-in ceremony was attended by prominent leaders like L.K. Advani, Sharad Yadav, and Shatrughan Sinha.

Election of the First Chief Minister

• On 14th November 2000, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) held a meeting.
• Madan Lal Khurana, BJP National Vice President, was appointed as observer for the selection of the legislative leader.
• The NDA’s strength in the 81-member assembly:
  • BJP: 33 MLAs
  • Samata Party: 5 MLAs
  • JD(U): 3 MLAs
  • Independent: Madhav Lal Singh
  • Jharkhand Vananchal Congress: Samresh Singh
• Potential alliance members:
  • Sudesh Mahto
  • Joba Majhi
• Babulal Marandi was unanimously declared as the NDA legislative leader and appointed Chief Minister.

First Cabinet of Jharkhand

Policy Announcements by Babulal Marandi

• Dhanbad would be developed as the sub-capital of Jharkhand.
• His government would ensure justice for all, regardless of majority or minority status.
• Strong action would be taken against extremism.
• Focus would be on clean governance and administrative sensitivity.
• Representatives of BJP and its allies would actively address public grievances.

Creation of New Districts

• Upon assuming office, CM Marandi announced the creation of 4 new districts:
  • Latehar (19th district)
  • Simdega (20th district)
  • Jamtara (21st district)
  • Seraikela (22nd district)
• Official notifications:
  • Notification No. 946 – Latehar
  • Notification No. 947 – Jamtara
  • Notification No. 948 – Seraikela
  • Notification No. 949 – Simdega
• Subdivisions and blocks:
  • Jamtara: 1 subdivision, 4 blocks
  • Latehar: 1 subdivision, 7 blocks
  • Seraikela: 1 subdivision, 8 blocks
  • Simdega: 1 subdivision, 7 blocks
  • Later, an additional subdivision, Chandil, was added to Seraikela district.

Reservation Politics

• The reservation policy stirred significant debates both within the cabinet and among the public.
• On 18th May 2001, the Cabinet proposed a new reservation framework:
  • Raised the cap from 50% to 60%.
  • Proposed distribution:
    • SC: 11%
    • ST: 27%
    • Extremely Backward Classes: 13%
    • Backward Classes: 9%
• Although the Advocate General had earlier advised not to exceed 50%, an exception was made considering special circumstances, citing Supreme Court guidelines and central government amendments.

Reservation Dispute and the Formation of a Committee

• Most cabinet ministers opposed the proposed changes in the reservation system.
• They cautioned against hasty decisions on such a sensitive issue.
• In response, CM Babulal Marandi formed a six-member committee under Welfare Minister Arjun Munda to resolve the reservation issue.
• Other committee members included:
  • Pashupati Nath Singh (Industry Minister)
  • Lalchand Mahto (Energy Minister)
  • Ramchandra Kesri (Water Resources Minister)
  • Sudesh Mahto (Construction Minister)
  • Ramji Lal Sarda (Law Minister)
• The secretary of the committee was the Secretary of the Department of Personnel, Administrative Reforms, and Official Language.
• The committee invited various suggestions and submitted a report to the government.
• After review, the government decided in principle to revise the reservation roster.
• However, due to growing disagreements and a Jharkhand High Court ruling, the reservation percentage was reduced to 50%, distributed as:
  • SC: 10%
  • OBC: 14%

Controversy Over Definition of Local Residents

• On 22 September 2001, Notification No. 3389 was issued by the Department of Personnel, Administrative Reforms, and Official Language.
• It announced that priority in state recruitment would be given to local residents.
• The notification was based on Bihar’s 1982 circular from the Labour and Employment Department.
• Jharkhand’s Cabinet adopted this decision post-state formation.
• The definition of “local” led to mixed reactions:
  • Supporters: Jharkhand Dishom Party, Adivasi Chhatra Sangh, Adivasi Janadhikar Manch, Sadan Chhatra Sangh.
  • Opposers: Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti, Jharkhand Upekshit Yuva Manch, Jharkhand Youth Association.

Widespread Protests in July 2002

• A statewide bandh (shutdown) was observed on 18 July 2002, affecting Ranchi, Dhanbad, Bokaro, and Jamshedpur.
• Notable violent incidents:
  • Protesters set fire to the vehicle of Sunil Barnwal (Director, Social Welfare) near HEC, Golchakkar.
  • Vinod Agarwal’s official car was vandalized near Piska Mod.
  • Building Construction Minister Saghnu Bhagat’s car was attacked near the Assembly; his security fired 3–4 rounds to disperse the crowd.
  • Ranchi–Konka Road was blocked; many vehicles were damaged.
  • In Dhanbad, protesters pelted stones at Minister Bacha Singh’s residence.
  • Trains including the Rajdhani Express were disrupted.
• 20 July 2002: Jharkhand Dishom Party supported the government’s policy with another bandh, especially impacting East & West Singhbhum, Saraikela, Bokaro, Dhanbad, and Giridih.
• Protesters disrupted train services on the Dhanbad–Howrah line.
• 1,320 individuals were arrested, with the highest arrests (633) in Jamshedpur.

Further Violence and Shutdown on 24 July 2002

• Organizations such as Adivasi Chhatra Sangh, Janadhikar Manch, Mulvasi Janadhikar Manch, and Sadan Chhatra Sangh called another bandh on 24 July.
• Violent incidents occurred:
  • Vandalism at offices like MECON, SAIL, IICM, and the Principal Accountant General.
  • Residential areas of HEC in Dhurwa also faced violence.
  • Protesters gathered at Birsa Chowk, MLA residences, JP Market, Dam Site, Adarsh Nagar, Sithio, causing chaos.
  • Police retaliation led to 5 deaths and 30 injuries.
  • Curfew was imposed in Doranda, Jagannathpur, and Hatia areas of Ranchi.

Government Response and Curfew Measures

• 25 July 2002: Situation remained stable under curfew in Ranchi’s three police station areas.
  • During talks with officials, a stone-pelting incident occurred, injuring the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO).
• 26 July 2002: Prohibition orders extended to Argora and Sukhdevnagar; no major incidents.
  • Another bandh was called by anti-domicile policy groups, but highways and coal production remained mostly unaffected.
• 27 July 2002: Restrictions continued; peace prevailed with curfew relaxation during the day.
• On 17 July 2002, CM Babulal Marandi issued a public appeal through newspapers urging peace and warning against rumors.
  • He assured the government’s commitment to welfare and inclusive development.

Legal Turning Point on Domicile Policy

• Controversy stemmed from Notification No. 3389 (22 July 2001).
• It was based on Bihar’s 1952 directive (letter no. 806, dated 3 March 1952) under Section 85 of the Bihar Reorganization Act, 2000.
• As per Bihar’s policy, “local persons” were those whose or their ancestors’ names appeared in land records such as “Khatian” (Record of Rights).
• This land record-based definition led to controversy in Jharkhand.
• A Public Interest Litigation (PIL No. 4050/2002) was filed in Jharkhand High Court.
• On 27 November 2002, a four-judge bench struck down the government’s circular.
• A revised resolution was issued, resolving the issue of defining local residents.

Internal Political Conflict in 2003

• From early 2003, internal dissent started growing in the Jharkhand government.
• By mid-March:
  • Ministers Lalchand Mahto (Energy), Madhu Singh (Revenue & Land Reforms), and Ramchandra Kesri (Irrigation) raised the demand for leadership change.
• In response, CM Marandi suggested reviving the NDA Coordination Committee to involve allies in decision-making.
• Shibu Soren (JMM Chief) urged the rebel ministers to resign and bring down the government.
  • He instructed JMM MLAs to stay united and not abstain from the Assembly.
• The dissident ministers went to Puri (Odisha) to strategize the revolt.

Government Crisis and Resignations

• BJP national leader Venkaiah Naidu invited rebel ministers for talks on 15 March 2003 in Delhi.
• Rebels sought support from Baidyanath Ram and Samresh Singh.
• Ramchandra Kesri began backing off from the rebellion.
• On 13 March 2003, seven ministers resigned, putting the Marandi government in minority:
  • Lalchand Mahto
  • Madhu Singh
  • Ramchandra Kesri
  • Jaleshwar Mahto
  • Samresh Singh
  • Joba Majhi
  • Baidyanath Ram
• In the Assembly:
  • During a debate on the Industry Department’s grant, a cut motion was supported by 42 MLAs.
  • Chaos broke out—microphones and chairs were thrown in protest.
  • The opposition accused the ruling side of damaging Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait.
• After the resignations, only 36 MLAs supported the ruling coalition:
  • BJP: 32
  • Samata Party: 2
  • Independents: 1
  • AJSU: 1

Backdrop and Initial Developments

• BJP-led coalition government in Jharkhand, under Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, began facing internal dissent.
• Seven rebel ministers created a stir by aligning with the opposition.
• Inder Singh Namdhari, the Speaker of the Assembly, was projected as a potential new Chief Minister.
• The sequence of events reminded many of the 1969 Bihar political episode when a similar sudden defection led to the fall of Sardar Harihar Singh’s government.

Assembly Drama on 13 March 2003

• Post-lunch session began with a debate on the Industry Department’s budget demand.
• All seven rebel ministers went and sat near the Speaker’s chair.
• Minister Ravindra Rai raised a point of order and announced a notice of no-confidence motion against the Speaker.
• Chaos erupted in the House, with shouting, chair-throwing, and microphone-breaking incidents.
• The House was adjourned amid disorder.
• Outside the Assembly, slogans of “Marandi Zindabad” and “Namdhari Murdabad” were raised.
• The opposition declared that the government had fallen.

Opposition Moves and Raj Bhavan Involvement

• At 7:00 PM, a delegation of opposition leaders met Governor M. Rama Jois and submitted a memorandum with 42 signatures.
• The Governor allowed only seven MLAs to meet him from the opposition.
• The opposition urged the Governor to invite Inder Singh Namdhari to form the new government.
• Meanwhile, rebel and opposition MLAs gathered at Shibu Soren’s residence to discuss further strategy.

Government’s Response

• Around 9:00 PM, Babulal Marandi and nine other legislators met the Governor.
• They submitted a written report detailing the events in the Assembly.
• The note claimed the Speaker left the House at 12:30 PM and returned at 5:00 PM with the rebel ministers.
• It was stated that the Speaker allowed the rebel ministers to sit with the opposition after they announced their resignation.
• The government also formally noted that a no-confidence motion against the Speaker had been supported by 17 MLAs.

National Leaders Step In

• BJP President M. Venkaiah Naidu cancelled his southern India tour and rushed to Delhi.
• A high-level NDA meeting was held at Naidu’s residence to discuss saving the Marandi government.
• Key attendees included L.K. Advani, Jaswant Singh, Nitish Kumar, Sharad Yadav, Karia Munda, Arun Jaitley, and Shambhu Srivastava.

Speaker’s Bold Move

• On 17 March 2003, Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari announced a special Assembly session for the government to prove its majority.
• The session was set to begin at 11:00 AM the same day, with only one agenda item—vote of confidence.
• However, this decision was taken without consultation with the government or the Business Advisory Committee.

Marandi Government Responds

• On 15 March, Babulal Marandi’s cabinet decided to convene the Assembly session between 27–28 March and informed the Raj Bhavan.
• This led to a direct confrontation between the Speaker and the government, triggering a constitutional deadlock.

Governor’s Intervention

• Governor Rama Jois resolved the impasse by directing that the Chief Minister prove his majority and get the budget passed by 31 March.
• This decision gave temporary relief to Marandi’s government but agitated the opposition.
• The opposition accused the Governor of acting under central government pressure to save a minority government and vowed to protest.

Arrival of Crisis Manager Rajnath Singh

• BJP General Secretary Rajnath Singh was dispatched to Ranchi to handle the crisis.
• He assured that the government would prove its majority and that Marandi would remain Chief Minister.
• National BJP Vice-President Kailashpati Mishra also reached Ranchi to support the effort.
• Marandi met dissident leader Samresh Singh and tried to appease him; Samresh later hosted Rajnath Singh for dinner on 15 March.

Alliance Meeting on 16 March 2003

• NDA legislative party meeting was held in Ranchi.
• Rajnath Singh and Kailashpati Mishra attended.
• Legislators agreed that it was time to counter the opposition challenge, not debate leadership change.
• When asked how the government would prove its majority, Singh said he had a strategy, but could not reveal it yet.

Discontent Against the Speaker

• NDA legislators expressed strong anger against Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari in the meeting.

Opposition’s Strategic Move to Bundu

• To maintain unity, 38 opposition MLAs moved to Bundu, about 50 km from Ranchi, on 16 March 2003.
• Congress leaders like Furkan Ansari, JMM’s Nalin Soren, and others coordinated the move.
• Legislators boarded a bus named “Krishna Rath” (BR 14 P 4242) from their residences.
• They arrived at MLA Ramesh Singh Munda’s residence in Bundu, where they relaxed, played cards, and planned strategy.

Government’s Parallel Moves

• Minister Ramchandra Kesri led a five-member delegation to the Governor and requested intervention.
• A press conference was held afterward, attended by Kesri, Chandreshwar Prasad Singh, and Ramji Lal Sarda.

JD(U) Demands CM Change

• On 16 March, JD(U) President Sharad Yadav in Delhi said the party would reconsider support if BJP replaced Marandi.
• JD(U) had three MLAs—Lalchand Mahto, Inder Singh Namdhari, and Baijnath Ram—who were leaning toward leadership change.

Numbers Game

• As of 16 March 2003:
  • Ruling Side (Total: 37):
    • BJP – 32
    • Samata Party – 2
    • United Goan Democratic Party (UGDP) – 1
    • Independent – 1
    • Nominated – 1
  • Opposition Side (Total: 43):
    • Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) – 12
    • Congress – 11
    • Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) – 9
    • Samata (rebels) – 3
    • JD(U) – 3
    • CPI – 2
    • Marxist Coordination Committee (MCC) – 1
    • UGDP (rebel) – 1
    • Vananchal Congress – 1

• Despite all last-minute efforts and political maneuvering, Babulal Marandi eventually resigned.
• The crisis exposed deep fissures within the ruling coalition and marked one of Jharkhand’s earliest and most volatile constitutional stand-offs.

Fall of Babulal Marandi’s Government

• On the evening of March 16, 2003, political winds in Ranchi signaled the fall of the NDA government led by Babulal Marandi.
• As public attention focused on the Assembly, BJP’s crisis manager Rajnath Singh played a decisive card that turned the tables against the opposition.
• However, Babulal Marandi had to sacrifice his position in the process.

Resignation of Babulal Marandi

• On March 17, 2003, at 9:00 AM, Marandi submitted his resignation as leader of the BJP legislature party to state president Abhaykant Prasad.
• He then proceeded to Raj Bhavan to tender his resignation to the Governor.
• The Governor accepted his resignation and instructed him to function as caretaker Chief Minister until a new government was formed.
• Thus ended Marandi’s 2 years and 4 months of leadership.
• He reportedly realized that driving development was nearly impossible in a fractured mandate.
• Marandi lamented that legislators, who once vowed to uphold democratic values, had quickly succumbed to opportunistic defections.

Selection of a New Leader

• Immediately after Marandi’s resignation, a meeting of NDA legislators was called to select a new leader.
• After two hours of discussion, no consensus was reached, and the meeting was suspended temporarily.
• Meanwhile, consultations were held with dissenting legislators from Samata Party and JD(U).
• There were discussions about naming Karia Munda, a Union Minister, as the new Chief Minister.
• However, it was decided that the CM should be someone who was currently an MLA in Jharkhand.
• After the meeting resumed, some MLAs proposed Yamuna Singh, but most supported Arjun Munda.
• Marandi himself proposed Arjun Munda’s name, and the decision was unanimously accepted.

Oath-Taking Ceremony of Arjun Munda

• Arjun Munda took oath as the new Chief Minister on March 18, 2003.
• Along with him, the following leaders were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers:
  • Samresh Singh
  • Joba Majhi
  • Sudesh Mahto
  • Pashupati Nath Singh
  • Madhav Lal Singh

Cabinet Expansion

• On March 25, 2003, Arjun Munda expanded his cabinet.
• 18 Cabinet Ministers and 2 Ministers of State took the oath.
• Cabinet Ministers included:
  • Lalchand Mahto
  • Yamuna Singh
  • Devdayal
  • (Late) Mrigendra Pratap Singh
  • Raghubar Das
  • Sadhnu Bhagat
  • (Late) Madhu Singh
  • Ramchandra Kesari
  • Ravindra Rai
  • Dinesh Sarangi
  • Madhu Koda
  • Bacha Singh
  • Jaleshwar Mahto
  • Baijnath Ram
• Ministers of State:
  • Sudarshan Bhagat
  • Ramesh Singh Munda
• Notably, the entire opposition boycotted the oath-taking ceremony.

Lok Sabha Elections in Jharkhand (2004)

• The April 2004 Lok Sabha elections defied exit polls and opinion polls.
• BJP suffered a major setback, winning only one seat (Koderma) out of 14.
• Babulal Marandi was the sole victor from BJP, defeating Champaa Verma (JMM) by 154,000 votes.
• In the 1999 elections, BJP had won 11 out of 14 seats.
• Prominent BJP leaders who lost included:
  • Yashwant Sinha (External Affairs Minister)
  • Karia Munda (Coal Minister)
  • Ram Choudhary
  • Pradeep Yadav
  • Ravindra Pandey
  • Dukha Bhagat
  • Abha Mahato

Winners in Other Constituencies:

• Ranchi – Subodhkant Sahay (Congress)
• Khunti – Sushila Kerketta (Congress)
• Godda – Furkan Ansari (Congress)
• Giridih – Teklal Mahto (JMM)
• Rajmahal – Hemlal Murmu (JMM)
• Chaibasa – Bagun Sumbrui (Congress)
• Jamshedpur – Sunil Mahto (JMM)
• Chatra – Dhirendra Agrawal (RJD)
• Palamu – Manoj Kumar (RJD)
• Dumka – Shibu Soren (JMM)
• Dhanbad – Chandrashekhar Dubey (Congress)
• Hazaribagh – Bhubneshwar Mehta (CPI)
• Lohardaga – Rameshwar Oraon (Congress)

BJP Leadership Change Demands

• In July 2004, BJP conducted a review meeting in Delhi on the party’s poor performance.
• Attendees included:
  • National President Venkaiah Naidu
  • L. K. Advani
  • CM Arjun Munda
  • Abhaykant Prasad (State President)
  • In-charge Rajnath Singh
• Babulal Marandi did not attend the meeting.
• It was decided to appoint Raghubar Das as the new state BJP president.
• A 4-member coordination committee was also formed to improve alliances.

Shibu Soren and the Chirudih Controversy

• After winning from Dumka, Shibu Soren was appointed Union Coal Minister.
• Soon, the Chirudih massacre case from 1975 resurfaced.
• Allegations included burning 9 Muslims and 1 tribal to death.
• A case was reopened in July 2004 in the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s Court in Jamtara.
• BJP made it a political issue; Venkaiah Naidu demanded Soren’s resignation.
• A warrant and property attachment orders were faxed to Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.
• Soren went into hiding, and police affixed a warrant at his Delhi residence.
• Chaos erupted in both houses of Parliament on July 22, 2004, with opposition calling Soren a “fugitive minister”.
• Prime Minister Manmohan Singh intervened and asked Soren to resign.
• Soren resigned from his ministerial post.
• On July 29, 2004, Jharkhand High Court ordered Soren to appear before the Jamtara court by August 2, 2004.
• On the given date, Soren surrendered, and was jailed for one month.

Dismissal of Revenue Minister Madhu Singh

• In late June 2004, Revenue Minister Madhu Singh was accused of accepting ₹50 lakhs during Rajya Sabha elections to favor a businessman.
• An audio CD surfaced with a recorded conversation between Singh and the businessman.
• CM Arjun Munda dismissed him on June 30, 2004 and sent a recommendation to the Governor, which was approved.
• Madhu Singh was also suspended from JD(U).
• Only after the party removed him, he was dropped from the cabinet.

Cabinet Size Reduction

• To comply with constitutional provisions, CM Arjun Munda asked all ministers to resign on July 4, 2004.
• Resignations were submitted by:
  • 14 BJP ministers
  • 4 JD(U) ministers
  • 2 Independents
• The challenge now was selecting the right combination for a leaner cabinet.
• Rajnath Singh, as state in-charge, arrived in Ranchi to resolve the crisis.
• However, a decision on cabinet reformation could not be finalized immediately.

Read more :-
https://jharkhandexam.in/political-developments-in-jharkhand-a-detailed-overview/