Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp critique of the Hemant Soren-led government in Jharkhand during a rally in Bokaro, accusing the ruling coalition of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress of corruption and mismanagement. PM Modi claimed that recent cash recoveries in Jharkhand indicated financial misconduct within the state government, asserting that the people of Jharkhand have suffered due to these alleged corrupt practices. Highlighting recent cash seizures, he pointed to “mountains of notes” as evidence of “looting” and questioned if this was not the public’s own money, purportedly misappropriated by the current administration.
Directly addressing the JMM-Congress coalition, PM Modi alleged that corruption has permeated throughout Jharkhand, with leaders making money from sectors like sand mining. He emphasized that the corruption accusations reflect how, in his view, every corner of Jharkhand has been impacted by the state government’s conduct. In comparison, he presented the BJP as a party focused on Jharkhand’s development and argued that those who opposed the formation of Jharkhand would never prioritize its growth.
PM Modi also criticized the previous Congress-led government, accusing it of underfunding Jharkhand during its term from 2004 to 2014. He contrasted this with the BJP’s support, stating that the central government under BJP leadership had allocated over Rs 3 lakh crore to the state since 2014. According to Modi, BJP’s commitment to Jharkhand has been demonstrated through both its creation of the state and its continued investment in its development.
In addition to his rally, PM Modi will lead a large roadshow in Ranchi, set to start at OTC Ground and end at New Market Chowk. To accommodate the roadshow, the administration has issued an advisory restricting vehicle movement and declared a ‘no flying zone’ in parts of the city. Polling for Jharkhand’s 81-member assembly will take place on November 13 and 20, with votes counted on November 23. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with BJP leaders like Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and JP Nadda, have also been active in the state, addressing multiple rallies to support their respective parties.
