Ranchi – Chief Minister Hemant Soren responded sharply on Sunday to the BJP’s manifesto. He stated that neither the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) nor the National Register of Citizens (NRC) would be implemented in Jharkhand; instead, only the Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act would remain. He accused the BJP of trying to divide families and spreading toxic ideas, likening them to venomous snakes. Soren urged people to stay cautious of such individuals.
While urging votes for JMM candidate Mithilesh Kumar Thakur in Garhwa, Soren said that “jumla-driven” BJP members want to remove the sons of the soil, the indigenous and native populations. He added, “When we began working for you, they put us in jail with false accusations. They don’t care about the tribals, natives, Dalits, and backward classes here. They are only interested in the mineral wealth of Jharkhand, withholding ₹1.36 lakh crore owed to the state.”
On Naxalism and Two-Phase Elections:
Soren questioned the BJP’s claim to end Naxalism, asking, “If Naxalism isn’t over, then how are they conducting elections in just two phases instead of five?” He claimed this was a clear indication that Naxalism has been fully eradicated in the state, adding, “Time will reveal what’s true and what’s false.”
Soren also criticized the BJP’s stance on Bangladeshi infiltration, questioning if there were secret agreements with Bangladesh. He asked why a plane carrying Bangladesh’s former prime minister was allowed to land in India and why they are providing electricity to Bangladesh while raising concerns about Bangladeshi infiltrators. He noted that border security with Bangladesh is under the jurisdiction of the Indian government, not the state government, and that these infiltrators come through neighboring states where the BJP could take measures to stop them.
Increased Financial Support for Women:
He announced that the ₹1,000 going to women’s accounts would be increased to ₹2,500. Soren alleged that if given a chance, the BJP would drain the very blood of the people, and promised that they would keep the BJP out of power for the next five years and uproot them completely.
On Investigating Examination Irregularities:
Addressing recruitment issues, Soren said the BJP claims they will have the JPSC and CGL exams investigated by the CBI. Soren clarified that his government had already investigated the CGL exam, identifying those who attempted irregularities. Those individuals would be jailed after the elections.
Early Election Due to Fear:
He claimed the BJP did not allow his term to finish and called for elections a month early out of fear that further development work would embarrass them.
On Pension and Welfare Schemes:
Soren explained that the Maiya Samman Yojana is meant for all people, regardless of religion. He pointed out that Jharkhand is the first state to provide pension support to its elderly employees. He criticized the BJP for claiming that the state government has stopped pensions, stating that the central government withheld the funds meant for Jharkhand, while his administration has never stopped and will never stop the state’s rightful funds.
