BJP candidate from Hatia, KK Poddar. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Jan. 11: The BJP candidate for the Hatia Assembly seat is perhaps known more as an industrialist, but Krishna Kumar Poddar thinks he?s the right man for the job.

Even the most ardent of BJP?s supporters, however, is at a loss when asked to defend the party?s decision to field Poddar in Hatia, replacing sitting MLA and commercial taxes minister Ramjilal Sarda.

Poddar, however, points out that his work has not insulated him from social activities. He cites his family?s long history of social work in the capital to buttress his claim.

?My great grandfather came to Ranchi from Rajasthan in 1852. He set up a business here and helped the poor and even helped freedom fighters. 1n 1905, my grandfather donated an operation theatre to Ranchi's state-run Sadar Hospital. Though my father shifted to Varanasi in 1940 to set up an oil mill, he soon returned to Ranchi. He was also an active social worker,? he said. Poddar set up the Ranchi small-scale industries association in 1960. He was a member of the board of industries in the Bihar government and of the small scale industries board at the Centre. He was elected to the Ranchi University Senate from the graduate constituency in 1965. He was the president of Jharkhand chamber of commerce and industries and headed the Nagarmal Modi Sewa Sadan for nine years. He has also been associated with the BJP?s medical cell for several years and organised health camps in different parts of the state. Through these camps, he developed close relationships with Babulal Marandi and Arjun Munda.

?I have never been a Jansanghi, but I did participate in demonstrations for a separate state when the States Reorganisation Commission visited Ranchi 1954. I always supported the Jharkhand movement. I have drafted several chapters of Jharkhand's new industrial policy and advised the Bihar government on several issues,? he added.

Replying to a question, he said he had never staked claims for the Hatia seat. ?I only told the BJP leaders that I was ready to contest the election. As Hatia happens to be a traditional BJP stronghold, I am confident of a victory. The employees of Mecon approached me this morning and assured all help,? he added.

In 1959, he set up a weaving unit in Ranchi. Initially it had only 48 looms. ?It gradually developed into a weaving plant. It had 96powerlooms and provided direct employment to more than 300 persons. However, in 1980 the plant was handed over to my brother following a division of the family business,? he added.

In the meantime, Poddar set up a graphite purification plant in the Belchampa village of the then Palamau district in 1974. ?Though the unit is in a rebel zone, it is doing brisk business. It has provided employment to more than 500 persons and the annual turnover exceeds Rs 5 crore.?