Raghubar Das rejoins BJP, says 'We will come back soon'

Ranchi: Former Chief Minister Raghubar Das rejoined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the second time on Friday. He took the online membership at the party's state office, where he appeared with his old assertive style. After joining, he expressed his confidence, saying, "We will come back soon." He also recited a poem to reflect his determination: "The moment I had been waiting for months... has now made my presence special... finishing my responsibility's journey... your servant has returned home."

Raghubar Das said that under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, the NDA government had returned for a third term. He pointed out that the BJP and NDA now govern 16 states, adding, "We will return soon." He described January 10 as a historic day for him, marking his second membership with the party after 1980. Reflecting on his resignation from the party on October 26, 2023, he said, "It was an emotional moment. It hurt me deeply. But today, taking membership again, I am filled with joy. I thank PM Modi, Amit Shah, JP Nadda, and state president Babulal Marandi."

Raghubar Das emphasized that the BJP was not formed merely for gaining power but to take the country to its highest glory. He stated, "All BJP workers are tools for serving the nation, not for personal gain."

Acknowledging that election outcomes are part of the process, Das said, "We need to continue working until we wipe away the tears of the last person in society. We still have a long way to go. We respect the mandate given by the people of Jharkhand."

He suggested that the newly formed coalition government be given two to four months to fulfill their promises to the people. However, he warned that if they dishonor the mandate, BJP workers will not allow them to sit easy, whether in the streets or the legislature. "If the coalition government takes steps for the state's welfare, we will cooperate, but if required, we will not hesitate to confront," he added.

Raghubar Das stressed that Jharkhand should be among the leading states in terms of BJP membership. He called for party workers to dedicate two hours to the membership drive, describing it as a service to the nation.

"Today, BJP is the world's largest party. I have come as a servant to serve the people," he remarked. Das also reflected on the party's journey, recalling how in 1984, when BJP had just two MPs and was mocked by the opposition, it is now the largest political party globally.

During the membership ceremony of former Chief Minister Raghubar Das, BJP's acting state president Ravindra Rai said that the warmth and familiarity of the party break all hesitations associated with holding positions. He said that Raghubar Das had returned with a firm resolve to spread the success of BJP even further. He stated that with Raghubar Das's return, the party would gain strength in its efforts.

Rakesh Prasad, in-charge of BJP's membership drive in Jharkhand, highlighted that Raghubar Das had joined the party by dialing a number in 2024 for online membership. He added that anyone who signed up more than 50 members is now eligible for active membership, urging party workers to bring at least 250 members into the fold. Prasad also praised Das for his past contributions, stating that Raghubar Das had even opened the Governor's House for the people of Odisha.

Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, stated that Raghubar Das is infusing energy into the party through his leadership. He highlighted how Raghubar Das’s return to BJP would bring renewed vigor to its activities.

The event was attended by several top BJP leaders, including State President Babulal Marandi, Acting President Ravindra Rai, Regional Organisation Minister Nagendra Tripathi, Organisation General Secretary Karmveer Singh, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, MPs Kalicharan Singh, Manish Jaiswal, Aditya Sahu, MLAs Alok Chaurasia, Neera Yadav, CP Singh, Nagendra Mahato, former MLA Neelkanth Singh Munda, Randhir Singh, Amar Bauri, Gangaothri Kujur, Membership In-Charge Rakesh Prasad, and many other leaders and party workers.

Meanwhile, a major accident was narrowly avoided near the BJP state office during Raghubar Das's welcome. Fireworks set off in celebration caused sparks to land on a motorcycle parked nearby, which quickly caught fire. Panic ensued among those present, but traffic police officers on site managed to douse the flames using water containers, preventing a larger disaster.