Demand for recommendation from local MLA from officials pushed me into politics: AJSU Jugsalai candidate Ram Chandra Sahis

In an exclusive interview, AJSU’s Jugsalai candidate Ram Chandra Sahis spoke about his journey from being a teacher and social worker to entering politics, and he shared his plans for the development of Jugsalai.

In a one-o-one conversation with Ram Chandra Sahis, the seasoned politician and former representative of Jugsalai, we delve into his journey, his dedication to his constituency, and his vision for a better future. Known for his unwavering commitment to the people, Sahis reflects on past elections, challenges, and his plans for the 2024 assembly race. With a deep-rooted passion for social welfare and a fierce drive to bring education, healthcare, and development to even the remotest corners of Jugsalai, Sahis shares his personal motivations, struggles, and aspirations. As he discusses his connection with the community and the issues he believes matter most, his words reveal a leader both humbled and energized by the support of the people he calls family. Here is an in-depth look into the mind and mission of Ram Chandra Sahis.

Deepak Mahato

Q: In the 2009 and 2014 assembly elections, you had no close competitors. However, in 2019, you found yourself in the third position. What went wrong?

Ram Chandra Sahis: [Pausing, his face serious] In 2019, things changed. The entire Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) united, while the BJP and AJSU split and ran independently. Mangal Kalindi of JMM didn’t win because of his own credibility but solely because of that alliance. Yes, I came third, but look closely at the votes I received. [Smiling] It’s clear that the people of Jugsalai still hold me close to their hearts; they see me as their true representative.

Q: How competitive do you think the 2024 assembly elections will be?

Ram Chandra Sahis: Competition? [Shakes his head] There’s no competition. The people of Jugsalai, and the entire state, are ready to correct the mistake made in 2019. They remember who stood by them, in power or not, and who vanished after winning. The JMM-led Congress and RJD government made tall promises – and what became of them? Hemant Soren himself vowed to bring the ‘Sthaniye Niti’ policy based on the 1932 land records in honor of Sahid Nirmal Mahato in Uliyaan. It was supposed to lead to reservation policies, employment, and even jobs for graduates. But did they fulfill any of it? Nothing. Our elders, those who sacrificed for a separate Jharkhand, envisioned a different future. But these past five years have pushed Jharkhand backwards, especially Jugsalai. They promised aid for the families of those martyrs, yet forgot everything once they seized power. It’s heart-wrenching.

Q: What are your strategies to defeat Mangal Kalindi?

Ram Chandra Sahis: [Leans forward, a calm confidence in his eyes] Mangal Kalindi? I don’t need strategies for him. The people of Jugsalai know exactly who he is and what he’s done – or hasn’t done – for them. He doesn’t even have a basic education. How can someone who hasn’t experienced the value of learning, fight for the future of education here? Under the NDA, Jugsalai was moving forward, but since the JMM took over, it’s like we’ve traveled fifty years backward. And I’ve always been with my people. Even after losing in 2019, the very next day, I was back in the community, standing with my people, raising my voice. The JMM government, though, turned a deaf ear to the needs of Jugsalai, choosing instead to forget us.

Q: What plans do you have for developing your constituency after winning?

Ram Chandra Sahis: Education will be my first priority. [Nods] Education empowers. It will teach every person to stand up for their rights. I’ll prioritize starting Bodam Degree College and Patamda Mahila College, which are already approved but ignored by Mangal Kalindi. We’ll open primary and high schools wherever they’re needed. And healthcare… we’ll make sure every village has access to basic healthcare. Roads will reach even the most remote corners of Jugsalai. For my farmers, I’ll bring water to the fields – through ponds, check-dams, and pumps. It’s not just a plan. It’s a promise, straight from my heart.

Q: Your hometown is in Patamda, which was once considered a remote area. How challenging was it for you to get an education?

Ram Chandra Sahis: [Nods slowly] It was tough, just like for any child from a far-off village. That’s why I understand the struggles of the students and parents in rural areas. My first school was Muchudih Primary School, and we walked for kilometers to reach it. Later, I moved to Jamshedpur to study at Ramkrishna Mission School, where I finished my 10th standard. That journey is why I’m so determined to bring educational opportunities to every corner of Jugsalai. I was also a teacher.

Q: What inspired you to enter politics?

Ram Chandra Sahis: [Smiling, a spark of nostalgia in his eyes] It all started in college, with a few friends and a shared passion for social work. We created an organization, Vivekanand Adarsh Seva Samiti Bodam, to help those in rural areas. But every time we approached officials, we were told, Get a recommendation from the local MLA. Why should people need to chase politicians for basic needs? Why should they be helpless without that power? That’s when I decided to contest elections. I wanted to make things easier for people, to ensure they didn’t have to run in circles for what should be their right. I ran my first election in 2009 with a simple dream – to serve. And here we are today.

Q: Many, especially your opposition, claim you’ve won elections with the help of Maoists. What’s your response to that?

Ram Chandra Sahis: [Chuckles] Rumors… just rumors, spread by those who fear progress. I’m a man of the people. I sit with them on the ground, listen to their pains, and share in their joys. Those who dislike seeing a leader so close to the people want to paint a different picture. But the people of Jugsalai know me, they trust me. I live in their hearts, and that’s a bond no rumor can break.