PM: JMM, allies settled Bangladesh immigrants in Jharkhand for votes

Calling the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) alliance in Jharkhand as “ghuspethiya gathbandhan”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the ruling coalition had been settling Bangladeshi immigrants in the state in lieu of votes. He said this while addressing rallies in Jharkhand’s Garhwa and Chaibasa areas.

“The JMM, Congress and RJD have crossed all limits of appeasement politics. To get votes, they have been settling Bangladeshi infiltrators all over the state…When ‘Saraswati Vandana’ is stopped in schools, festivals are hampered, the worship of Maa Durga is stalled, and curfews are imposed, we should realise how grave the danger has become. When daughters are defrauded on the pretext of marriage, it is evident that limits have been crossed,” he said.

Soren’s proposer Mandal Murmu joins BJP

• Mandal Murmu, one of the proposers of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s nomination from the Barhait Assembly constituency joined the BJP, party leaders said on Monday.
• A Sido-Kanu descendant who led the Santhal revolt in 1855, Murmu joined the BJP in Deoghar on Sunday in the presence of Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Adding steam to the BJP’s key poll plank in the state — demographic change due to infiltration — Modi questioned the ruling coalition’s denial when the court asked them to address the challenge of infiltration. “When the issue of infiltration goes to court and the administration stays in denial mode, we realise that the government’s machinery itself has been infiltrated. They are snatching your roti, beti and maati,” he alleged.

“If the JMM, Congress and RJD policies continue, tribal population will shrink in Jharkhand, marking a danger for tribals as well as national security,” said the PM ahead of two-phase elections on November 13 and 20.

Earlier in his speech, he flagged corruption, dynastic politics and “fake” guarantees by the Congress to make a pro-BJP pitch. Citing the example of Haryana that re-elected the BJP for a third term, Modi said, “In Haryana, they tried to spread lies among women, farmers, youth, SCs, STs and OBCs, but the state taught Congress a lesson and defeated its lies. Jharkhand should do the same,” said Modi, adding that in HP, employees were forced to agitate to even get their dearness allowance.

The PM mentioned Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s recent admonishment to state units to promise only what they can deliver. “I am surprised how Mallikarjun Kharge knowingly or unknowingly spoke the truth. He said Congress schemes will turn the states bankrupt... It is Congress policy to peddle lies to secure votes. So do not trust their lies,” Modi said.