An Ajsu supporter dressed up as Birsa Munda during the 21st foundation day rally at Morabadi in Ranchi. Pix: Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, June 22: The All Jharkhand Students? Union (Ajsu) intends to turn itself into an outfit that would take up the ?responsibility of developing the state?.

Addressing an impressive rally at the Morabadi grounds to mark the party?s 21st foundation day, leaders resolved to work for the uplift of the people of Jharkhand at the grassroots level.

?The party is now 21 years old. We are fully young, mature, full of energy and ready to take up responsibilities. The phase of struggle is over. Now we have to work for the development of the state,? party president and home minister Sudesh Mahto said.

He asked party workers to use the right to information Act for the welfare of the people.

?Ajsu has seen many ups and downs ever since its inception in 1986. In the 80s, Ajsu remained at the centrepoint of the Jharkhand movement. However, later the party saw many splits. Our old friends are now with different other parties. In the meantime, Jharkhand has also been formed. In the changed circumstances we have decided to unite the youth force for the development of the state,? said the recently-married Mahto, who postponed his honeymoon to take part in the rally.

Questioning the sincerity of national parties in solving the problems of Jharkhand, he said only regional formations pay more attention to the needs of the state. ?In case of the Jharkhand movement also, these were the regional parties which put pressure on the national parties for formation of a separate state,? the minister said.

Appreciating the efforts of Ajsu, president of the All Gorkha Students? Union Roshan Giri said though Jharkhand has been formed, Gorkhaland is still a distant reality. Giri, who was specially invited for the function, sought support from Ajsu in realising their dream of a separate state. Leaders of the All Bodo Students? Union also attended the function.

Heavy rains played spoilsport and party workers were forced to leave the venue to seek shelter. The pandals erected by the organisers turned out to be ?too small? for the large number of workers who had gathered from different parts of the state at the rally.

The shower began just as Mahto made his entry and was yet to speak. The function came to a halt for about 45 minutes but resumed after the downpour stopped.

Speakers at the rally called upon the people to strengthen Ajsu ?so that we could come to power on our own and have Sudesh Mahto as the chief minister?.

?Nobody ever questioned our sincerity and commitment during the Jharkhand movement. Now is the time to give us an opportunity to develop the state as per the dreams of our great leaders like Birsa Munda, Sidho and Kanho. We promise our full commitment towards the development of Jharkhand,? said a leader.