Ranchi: A tribal woman on May 18 will become the custodian of the Indian constitution in Jharkhand, the eastern Indian state created 15 years ago for the development of indigenous people.

Droupadi Murmu, a former minister of neighboring Odisha state, will take oath as the governor at Birsa Mandap in the Raj Bhavan.

Murmu’s appointment is seen as a balancing act by the federal government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, Indian people’s party) to appease the state’s 8.6 million tribal people.

The BJP faced criticism for choosing a non-tribal as the chief minister of Jharkhand. The role of Murmu, 58, is to be the chief custodian of the constitution in a state where several pertinent issues concerning development are stuck because to the tribal and non-tribal divide, The Hindustan Times reported.

Murmu’s presence will reduce the tension for the Raghubar Das government to table and clear bills.

Murmu represented Rairanpur assembly constituency in the Odisha legislative assembly in 2000 and 2004.

The new governor is expected to instill a lot of confidence in the 26 percent tribal population who, for long, have been feeling alienated, marginalized and allegedly subjected to step-mother treatment.

She is also expected to relate and connect better with the locals by opening channels of communication for them with the government.

However, a majority of tribal leaders in Jharkhand have reservations over her potential and doubt whether she would be able to bulldoze through the government if it indulges in anti-people activities.

“We do not know much of her as she is not popular even in her own community and in the state she belongs to,” said Adivasi Vikas Parishad president Dr Arun Oroan, an ex-IPS. “However, her appointment is certainly a masterstroke of balancing act by the Modi government as it has smartly read the perceived boil and dissent among the tribal populace across the country over thrusting of RSS ideologies on them.”

Ex-MP from Mayurbhanj and vocal tribal leader Salkhan Murmu said appointment of a tribal woman in a 5th schedule state is a historic development but “we do not pin very high hopes on her as there are nine 5th schedule states and none of the governors there have performed according to the 5th Schedule”. “Her appointment could certainly be a damage control step as the tribal population was hurt over the appointment of a non-tribal as CM,” the leader said.

“In our federal system, the institution of governor does not hold much importance and hence I feel irrespective of who becomes a governor the people are not going to benefit much,” said Dr Harishwar Dayal, director, eastern regional center of Institute of Human Index.

However, Dayal said, Jharkhand being a 5th schedule area, the governor has the powers to intervene in issues related to tribal interest.

Meanwhile, opposition party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha spokesperson Kunal Sarangi said the party will extend all possible issue-based and constructive support to her. “We welcome her and hope she will contribute to the strengthening of social and cultural fabric of Jharkhand and also in empowerment of women.”