New Delhi/Ranchi, Aug. 11: State BJP chief Tala Marandi feels humiliated over the events of the last few days, but insists there is nothing more important than tribal self-respect.
"Yes, I submitted my resignation at the BJP (central) office," he told The Telegraph over telephone from an undisclosed location in the national capital region today, ending speculation about his status as a party office-bearer.
"There is nothing, absolutely nothing greater than the rights of tribals and indigenous people. There is nothing greater than adivasi asmita (tribal self- respect) for me or any other tribal leader, no party or post or anything," he said.
On Tuesday, Marandi and chief minister Raghubar Das came to Delhi and met the BJP's state minder Trivendra S. Rawat and national joint general secretary (organisation) Saudan Singh.
Marandi did not reveal details of the talks, but the BJP is yet to accept his resignation.
He defended his statements on the BJP-led state government's move to amend tenancy laws (CNT and SPT acts) through ordinances, saying he stood by his stand.
"I only expressed what the common people really feel about these ordinances in the name of promoting infrastructure growth. Strict execution of land acquisition laws will be more beneficial for them. Ground realties can't be ignored in power politics, especially by an outfit like the BJP," he said.
BJP's national leadership is unhappy with his public statements against the ordinances.
Earlier, the Assembly monsoon session was almost fully disrupted over the ordinances, which are pending with President Pranab Mukherjee. Tribal MLAs of the BJP also met Das and governor Droupadi Murmu to voice their concerns.
Marandi also met general secretary (organisation) Ramlal yesterday, and sought an appointment with party president Amit Shah. BJP sources claimed that under Das's opposition, the party shelved the list of new office bearers declared by Marandi on Sunday.
But, Marandi alleged 93 of the names he proposed in his list were cleared by Das. "I released half the names," he said.
On the other controversy that has been dogging his family - his son Munna's marriage to an alleged minor and charges that the youth sexually exploited another girl, also a minor - Marandi said he hoped the truth would be out soon. "Both the cases are sub judice. They are being investigated. Let us wait and watch," he pleaded.
Marandi made it clear he was fighting for self-respect. "This is not about some list or some case against my son. Name a politician without a single case registered against him. BJP has a policy for tribals, for Jharkhand - a policy created with great thought and deliberation. In the BJP, we stick to the principles laid down. A karyakarta's character is judged on whether he is able to hold on to these principles under adversity," he said.
He said he would not leave Delhi without meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi or party chief Amit Shah. "I will not go back from here without meeting them. Though I was never at fault, I do admit that some of my miscalculated moves did affect the party image. Accepting the moral responsibility, I tendered my resignation," he signed off.
