AMJM activists stage a dharna in Ranchi. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, March 15: Several organisations have criticised the move to make a “non-tribal” the chief minister of Jharkhand and have vowed to launch an agitation against it.

Talking to reporters, Ajsu central committee president Vimal Kachchap said the state does not recognise the mandate of Bihar. “Irrespective of who forms the government in Jharkhand, people are not going to benefit in any way but we strongly feel that the state should be ruled only by a tribal,” he said.

“We would call bandhs and impose economic blockades in the state if a non-tribal is made the chief minister,” Kachchap said. Ajsu has also criticised the “doublespeak” of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and has urged the Opposition leaders not to fall in the trap laid by Sibu Soren.

“With the JMM support the Opposition can come to power but the state will witness a downfall. There is a big difference between Soren’s actions and words,” the Ajsu leader said.

On the projection of Inder Singh Namdhari as the leader of the Opposition, Kachchap said it was a conspiracy to repress the voice of tribals. The Adivasi Moolvasi Janadhikar Manch (AMJM) will stage a dharna at the commissioner’s office on March 24 to mount pressure on different political parties which are “trying to deprive a tribal of the post of chief minister”. The organisation has also decided to meet Governor M. Rama Jois that day.

AMJM working president Bandhu Tirkey said: “We have been compelled to assemble at the commissioner’s chowk, as some people are conspiring against tribals and moolvasis. They are making efforts to remove a tribal from the post of chief minister and project a non-tribal, who is also a refugee from Pakistan, as the chief minister of the state,” he said.

AMJM president R.P. Sahu said the organisation would not allow anyone to play with the interests of local people. “All political parties, including the JMM, Congress and BJP are anti-tribal,” he said.