A prominent businessman of the steel city turned up at Saryu Roy’s residence after campaigning for the second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections closed on Thursday, to pledge “all kinds of support” in the Independent candidate’s fight against chief minister Raghubar Das from the Jamshedpur East seat that votes on Saturday.

“The business community in Jamshedpur has an emotional attachment with the BJP. But this time many want to see Raghubar Das defeated,” this industrialist told The Telegraph, not willing to be named for obvious reasons.

Asked why he wanted to see the chief minister lose, he promptly replied: “Arrogance”.

“Zabaan se aap dost aur dushman dono banate hai. CM ne apne zabaan se bahuton ko dushman bana diya (Your behaviour earns you friends as well as enemies. The CM has made too many enemies by his behaviour),” he said, stressing Das’s “rude manner” of responding to people who approached him with complaints.

Businessmen are known for putting their eggs in all baskets, but that this prominent member of a section regarded as the backbone of the BJP’s support base turned up to pledge support to an Independent candidate disowned by the saffron party indicated once again how tough a challenge Das was facing in his home turf, a constituency

that had elected him for five consecutive terms.

Roy, a minister in the Das government known to be the CM’s bête-noire and who represented Jamshedpur West, shifted to East to take on the chief minister after the BJP denied him a ticket.

Everyone in the steel city was discussing that Roy could create history by defeating the chief minister.

“My revolt was against Raghubar Das and I wanted to make a point. I had never imagined the situation will develop like this. The people of Jamshedpur East are fighting on my behalf,” Roy said amid meeting a string of visitors pledging support at his residence in Bistupur.

What is the issue that has turned him into a serious contender? “I had many issues against the chief minister but now under people’s demand I am focused on only two: Raghubar Das’s arrogance and regularisation of 86 illegal colonies,” Roy said.

The regularisation of the colonies had formed Das’s core plank in many polls and people had hoped he would get it done after becoming chief minister in 2014. The issue had led to Das’s victory by a huge margin in 2014, many believe.

“We were confident of getting ownership rights after Raghubarji became chief minister because he had promised us to regularise the illegal colonies in the last election. He has not only failed but behaved rudely when people reminded him of his promise,” said Abhay Sahu, a juice seller, who lives in one of the 86 colonies.

Most residents of these illegal colonies are settlers from different states, and regions of Jharkhand, who arrived here to earn a better living. Outsiders have been staunch supporters of the BJP and their anger may cost the CM dearly.

“If the BJP can bring a law in Parliament to regularise illegal colonies in Delhi, then why not Jamshedpur?” asked Nandlal Singh, a small trader.

Roy has promised to regularise the colonies if he wins.

However, the lack of enthusiasm among the business community towards backing Das was surprising. In the main market of Sakchi many wholesale traders and retail shop owners said the CM was facing a tough election.

“It will be very difficult for me to vote against the BJP. Ideally, we want the BJP to form the government without Raghubar Das as chief minister,” said Pritam Prasad, a wholesale trader.

He said the CM’s performance had been dismal and people across Jamshedpur were not happy with him.

“Business is down, many factories have closed down, law and order has worsened and the CM claims he has done lot of work. His claim angers us,” Pritam added.

Many voters felt Roy would return to the BJP after defeating Das and could even become CM.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to clear the air on this front during his rally here on Tuesday. “Modi is with the lotus (BJP symbol) and not anybody. Let this be clear, where there is no lotus there is no Modi,” he said.

Pritam Prasad at Sakchi market, however, still had hope. “I’m sure the BJP will have to change its chief minister since it will not get majority on its own,” he said, adding that Das can’t claim the CM’s post if he loses.