Ranchi, Aug. 28: It is not exactly smooth sailing for Jharkhand's first chief minister, JVM chief Babulal Marandi (58), out of power and left with just two MLAs after the BJP lured six of his party legislators months after the 2014 Assembly elections to buffer its numbers. But, the outspoken Marandi continues to be politically relevant, asking pointed questions to the BJP, which had once been his party before his stormy exit in the mid-2000s.

A trenchant critic of how the Raghubar Das government is handling the tribal land issue and the NTPC compensation package in Hazaribagh, Marandi may not have the political numbers on his side but has planned huge agitations. He plans to fast in Hazaribagh on August 30 and 31 to back NTPC protesters and soon meet President Pranab Mukherjee with a request not to sign on the state government's ordinances seeking changes in Chotanagpur and Santhal Pargana tenancy Acts, a confident Marandi tells The Telegraph at his Morabadi official residence.

Excerpts from the chat:

Why are you opposing the NTPC project in Barkagaon, Hazaribagh?

Let me make something clear. I firmly believe that people must get their due compensation when they give away their land for a project. NTPC says it would give Rs 20 lakh per acre to villagers and won't offer jobs. This is like fleecing people. Do you know NTPC is paying much more to the government for getting gair mazrua (government land) plots on lease? (Prodded, Marandi did not give figures but unconfirmed reports suggest Rs 4 crore per acre of gair mazrua land).

Also, the government has no clear answer how poor people will gain from coal mining projects when they won't be getting jobs and only a poor compensation package (one-time cash and colony housing). Land rates must be revised and each member from an affected family should get a Grade III or IV job; if not, NTPC should at least ensure their training and gradually absorb them. That's why I am going to observe a fast in Hazaribagh on August 30 and 31. There have been instances of dam and industrial projects in the past wherein original natives of Jharkhand lost everything and were pushed to the oblivion. It can't happen now

What is your take on the other burning issue - the government sending ordinances to the President seeking changes in Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act?

Again, my stand is simple. Let the government clearly explain how the ordinances will benefit people. They should have explained it before sending (the ordinances to the President), but if not then, at least now. But, they only say it will be good for people and leave it at that. Tell us how!

As far as I could understand, the ordinances suggest imposing more taxes on agricultural land used for non-agricultural purposes by the tribals and in a way push for use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes in a big way. There is opposition to this within the government too. There may be some hidden agenda. That's why I am planning to approach the President along with tribal organisations to request him not to sign on the ordinances

But, the same government faced a backlash when it tried to give tribals land earlier illegally transferred to non-tribals in Harmu.

Everything is achanak (sudden). This way of doing things shows the government is unprepared. They serve sudden notices to people to give back land to tribal folk. Proper processes should be followed in legal matters

Any suggestions for the Raghubar Das government?

Please make pro-people policies. The government should enforce upon companies scouting for land that they should give Grade III and IV jobs to locals and compensate them well against their land. Then, the going will be smooth. The government should be a facilitator for people and not companies. Corruption comes from top, the government should avoid this

Is Opposition united to fight the BJP government on the issues?

Yes, it is. We, along with the Congress, CPI, RJD, JDU and JMM, have in unison fought against the government's anti-people policies

Now your party is left with only two MLAs. How you are planning its resurrection?

I joined politics as a mission to develop a new state. Many politicians want to become MLA, MP or minister. That is fine, but how does it help people who elect you if their miseries don't end. A state like Jharkhand needs proper planning and execution of development schemes. The present lot of politicians is unfortunately not concerned enough about people's woes. BJP also did illegal things going against people's mandate (referring to poaching JVM legislators). People will surely understand the ills of these so-called politicians and meanwhile I will continue doing my job.