‘All like-minded parties welcome’

RPN SINGH, Congress incharge in Jharkhand

The entire campaign of the Congress in Jharkand was led by party’s Jharkhand in-charge RPN Singh From deciding on seat sharing to candidate selection to overseeing the campaign, Singh was involved in everythingafter the grand alliance of the Jmm-congress-rjd won the election, Singh spoke to Sanjoy Dey Edited excerpts

What worked for the alliance?

A well-stitched alliance, hard work of workers and leaders, fighting for people’s issues worked this assembly polls People were fed up with the arrogance of the BJP government and its distance from the real issues of the people

Being the second largest partner, will Congress demand the deputy chief minister’s post in the new government?

We have not yet discussed anything about this

Will Jharkand Vikas Morcha-p be a part of your alliance?

We will welcome all likeminded parties, even if we have majority

What will be the alliance’s main priority now? The Congress said it would make sure paddy farmers get ~ 2,500 for every quintal

All promises we made in the manifesto will be fulfilled

What do you think are the issues for which people voted in favour of alliance?

There were many Jharkhand people are facing job loss, unemployment, hunger deaths and lynching We fought the election on these issues Land was another major issue We actively raised all major issues faced by the people of Jharkhand When BJP government tried to amend the Chotanagpur tenancy Act and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (the laws prevent transfer of tribal land to non-tribals, which the BJP government sought to change), we raised our voice against it and the government was forced to withdraw the bills