Ranchi: In the run-up to Jharkhand's 18th Statehood Day, chief minister Raghubar Das exudes confidence. He believes the Opposition is in disarray and the state would in no way accept coalitions any more as the advantages of a stable government were evident.

In an exclusive interview to The Telegraph , Das spoke his mind on recent controversies and shed light on the government's ambitious plans for the immediate future.

What will be the government's focus in the coming year?

My target is to end poverty in Jharkhand by 2022 by which time all BPL cards should vanish. Garibi khatam kardena hai. Karna hai, hojayega. We have already formed CM Udyami Board whose mandate is to give jobs to at least one person per house/family. The board will buy locally produced goods at the village level and sell it. For example, if anyone does poultry, the board will buy his/her produce and sell it. By December, we will enrol four lakh women in livelihood linkage activities

Are investment conclaves helping?

Yes, to a large extent. For instance, the idea behind me leading state delegations to Japan or other countries, or hosting a conclave, is to tell the world that there is a place in India like Jharkhand with 40 per cent of the country's mineral resources. Japan gaye toh logon ko malum chala ki Jharkhand bhi koi jagah hai. Nahi toh, Jharkhand to kai log wahan aaj bhi Bangal ka hi part sochte hain. To get investments, we have to market our state by showcasing our potential. Jharkhand is within top 10 states in ease of doing business. The investment summit in February has erased the perception of Jharkhand as a scam tainted state

JMM leader Hemant Soren called these a 'circus'.

I don't feel the need to react to him. Woh neta thodi hai. Guruji ka baat aur hai . I only have to reply to the people in 2019

Forthcoming events?

In February 2018, we will organise a food summit to showcase our strengths in horticulture. Then, we plan to host a Pravasi Diwas

Recently, tribal leaders held two fairly well-attended rallies. Are you worried?

Not at all. These rallies are sponsored by missionaries, whose agenda is to hold back development. Have you noticed the kind of people who turn up at these rallies? The same set of people, the ones that are poor and can be lured with food and money. Most of these people are from Khunti, Simdega, Gumla and nearby places where missionaries have their set-up

Meaning?

What good has conversion done to these people? Have their lives improved? If anyone wants to convert to any religion, that is his/her business. But we won't tolerate forceful conversions. And this has upset missionaries, who are trying to stoke controversies

JMM, Congress and JVM are trying to forge a united front.

There is nothing called Opposition unity. It can't happen. Mark my words, BJP will bag all 14 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 and win Assembly polls by two-thirds majority this time. Congress will be wiped out because of the infighting between Sukhdeo Bhagat, Subodh Kant Sahay and Pradeep Balmuchu. JMM is almost dead now. Their leader (Hemant) doesn't have any mass connect. Same is the case with JVM. Its chief, Babulal Marandi, is one who couldn't even win his own seat in Giridih. Marandi was served as chief minister for three years. Compare his tenure with mine and see the difference

You are, therefore, confident there won't be a successful gatbandhan?

People of Jharkhand repent 14 years of coalitions. The state is not willing to accept such experiments any more. People have realised the strengths of political stability

You said there was a conspiracy behind the demise of the Simdega girl being labelled a starvation death?

Without doubt. Even villagers who came to meet me at my office said it was a conspiracy. They pleaded with me to do something for the village, which unnecessarily earned a bad name. I told them we will develop it into a model village

Don't you think a statement by you would have cleared the air much earlier?

I didn't want to speak without proper homework. I was getting my own investigations done. Few days after the unfortunate death of the girl in Simdega, I had been to the district for a programme. But, I couldn't visit the family. So, I asked the DC to visit the girl's house and help the family.

But I accept there are a few glitches, especially at the ground level leading to poor implementation and execution. This we are sorting out

Will the government pursue use of Aadhaar for social schemes?

Yes. By linking Aadhaar to ration, we managed to save Rs 250 crore. Two lakh fake ration cards got cancelled

What is the response to your district tours?

I see that we have been able to win the confidence of the people. We are no longer seen to be an anti-tribal force. Rather, we are working to save tribal culture. During a recent trip to Bokaro, I announced a massive development plan for Lugu Buru Ghanta Bari, a pilgrim spot of Santhals. Before me, three Santhals were CMs -Shibu Soren, Babulal Marandi and Hemant Soren. Why didn't they do something for this place? No one cared. But, my government cares for all

What are the new schemes that are to be announced on Statehood Day?

We will be launching a health insurance scheme and a self-employment scheme. Johar is a Rs 1,100 crore scheme through which we want to train two lakh people, especially women, in fisheries, poultry, minor forest produce, cultivation, etc.

CM's Swastha Bima Yojana will cover 58 lakh poor families each of which will be covered for Rs 2 lakh. Families will be given smart cards for use at private or government hospitals. At RIMS, the insurance will pay for treatment. Money RIMS earns by way of such payments will be used to develop hospital infrastructure

Your final observations?

I concede there is still a lot to be done. I realise this when I travel. But to change this state, three years is too little. It takes 10-15 years to usher in proper change. We have set the process in motion.