RANCHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a scathing attack on the JMM-led coalition in Jharkhand, labeling it a "Ghuspaithiya Bandhan" (infiltrators' alliance) and "Mafia Ka Ghulam" (mafia's slave) for allegedly supporting Bangladeshi infiltrators.
Scams by coalition leaders in Jharkhand have become an industry and corruption has devoured the state like termites, the Prime Minister said.
"Appeasement politics has reached its pinnacle in Jharkhand where the JMM-led coalition is busy supporting Bangladeshi infiltrators. If this continues, the state's tribal population will shrink. This is a threat to tribal society and the country. This coalition has become a 'Gushpaithiya Bandhan' and a 'Mafia ka Ghulam'", Modi said at a rally in Jharkhand's Garhwa.
Also read: Uniform Civil Code won’t be allowed in Jharkhand: CM Hemant Soren
This was Modi's first visit to Jharkhand following the announcement of assembly elections scheduled on November 13 and November 20 with counting of votes on November 23. It was also any prime minister's maiden visit to Garhwa.
झारखंड के विकास के लिए एनडीए पूरी निष्ठा और सेवाभाव से समर्पित है। चाईबासा में जनता-जनार्दन का स्नेह, जोश और जुनून अभिभूत करने वाला है।https://t.co/4OyleFEG3Z
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 4, 2024
"Termites of corruption make the country hollow. In Jharkhand, the JMM, Congress and RJD have crossed all limits as far as corruption is concerned. This has impacted the poor, dalits, tribals and the backward communities. Jharkhand CM, MLAs and MPs of JMM-led coalition are neck-deep in corruption," the PM said, asserting that only the BJP can provide 'Suvidha', 'Suraksha', 'Sthirta' and 'Samriddhi', which is "Modi's guarantee".
Modi accused the JMM, Congress, and RJD of using Bangladeshi infiltrators for "vote bank politics," enabling their settlement in Jharkhand, which he deemed a threat to the state's social structure. He emphasised the urgency of the situation, saying, "It is Roti, Beti, Maati Pukar to make BJP-NDA Sarkar in Jharkhand."
"If Saraswati Vandana is prevented in schools, you can understand the level of threat," he said and added that curfews during festivals like Durga Puja have become common.
The PM said Jharkhand has become a hub for sand smuggling and claimed that rumour-mongering has turned into an industry in the state, with "one family active in Delhi and another in Jharkhand."
He criticised the Congress for spreading falsehoods since Independence, alleging that it has devastated states like Himachal, Telangana, and Karnataka. Modi said AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge admitted that the party makes false guarantees.
"I am surprised how Kharge Ji spoke the truth that Congress's irrelevant announcements will bankrupt states," Modi remarked, asserting that Congress and its partners can never be relied upon.
He also pointed out that the JMM-led coalition spread rumours discouraging farmers from accepting funds under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, leading them to believe the money would be taken away. However, he added that the implementation of the scheme has instilled confidence among the farmers.
He criticised the JMM-led coalition for misappropriating thousands of crores allocated by the Centre for various schemes, asserting that it is time for a "double engine government" in Jharkhand to ensure development over the next 25 years.
"The Centre is making all efforts to boost infrastructure in Jharkhand, while the JMM-led coalition is trying to hinder progress," he said, citing the stalled North Koel Reservoir project as a key example.
The foundation of the project on North Koel river flowing through Palamu and Garhwa districts was originally laid in 1972 but failed to take off.
The PM said highways in Jharkhand were being widened while railways infrastructure was being augmented and 12 Vande Bharat Express trains were operational here.
Modi said Jharkhand BJP came up with an excellent 'Sankalp Patra' (manifesto), promising initiatives such as the Gogo Didi scheme, which would provide women with Rs 2,100 per month and unemployment allowances of Rs 2,000 to the youth under the 'Yuva Sathi Bhatta' programme.
He said gas cylinders would be available for Rs 500, with two free cylinders provided during festivals. Additionally, he mentioned that three lakh government posts would be filled, and local youth would receive Rs 5,000 per month under a PM package while interning with major companies.
If the BJP is voted into power, he pledged that paddy would be procured at Rs 3,100 per quintal, and forest produce would be purchased at minimum support prices.
"The JMM, Congress and RJD have made false promises and done nothing for women and the people in the past five years and are now copying the BJP," he said and added, "JMM-led coalition's exit is certain this election."
Modi said 16 lakh houses have been built under the PM Awas Yojana for SC, ST, and OBC communities in Jharkhand, with a promise to construct another 21 lakh.
"JMM-led coalition betrayed the poor in the name of Abua Awas Yojana....scams have become an industry in Jharkhand. Paper leaks are common. Several youth lost their lives. JMM, Congress, RJD believe in dynastic politics and they insulted tribal leaders like Champai Soren," the PM said.
He concluded by reiterating that the coalition's leaders have misused funds sent by the Centre for their personal gain.
"Thousands of crores sent by Centre for schemes have been devoured by JMM-led coalition's corrupt leaders in Jharkhand," he said and added that BJP is making all efforts to revive tribal glory and the entire country will celebrate tribal icon Birsa Munda's 150th anniversary next year.