CHAIBASA: PM Narendra Modi launched Monday his campaign for Jharkhand’s assembly elections, urging voters to reject what he called the “politics of false guarantees” promoted by Congress and JMM.
Modi accused both parties of making unfulfilled promises that have allegedly left many states financially strained. “Since Independence, Congress has constructed its political foundation on public deception,” Modi said, while referencing Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s recent remarks on the unsustainability of certain promises.
Speaking at rallies in Chaibasa and Garhwa, the PM predicted a NDA victory in Jharkhand and Maharashtra, claiming that voters are poised to respond decisively.
He criticised opposition politicians in both states for alleged sexist remarks targeting woman politicians. In Jhark hand, Congress MLA Irfan Ansari from Jamtara had allegedly referred to BJP candidate Sita Murmu as “rejected maal,” while Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant faced backlash in Maharashtra for calling BJP’s Shaina NC “imported maal”. Sawant later apologised, but Congress and Ansari alleged that BJP circulated a “doctored” video to discredit them.
Modi linked these remarks to a broader pattern: “Congress and its ilk are in the habit of such demeaning acts against women… people will teach them a lesson now in these elections.”
Modi asserted that a BJP led NDA govt would prioritise the protection of “Beti, Roti aur Mati (daughters, food, and land)”, which he claimed were under threat under the current Hemant Soren-led alliance govt. “I can perceive the transformation that is destined to occur on Nov 23. Mati, Beti, Roti ki Pukar, Jharkhand mein NDA sarkar,” he pro claimed in Garhwa.
In Chaibasa, Modi intensified his appeal to the tribal voters of the Kolhan region, an area dominated by the Ho tribe, comprising 14 assembly seats, nine reserved for ST and one for SC. Reflecting on violence against tribal people or “golikaands”, Modi alleged that RJD historically opposed Jharkhand’s creation during Bihar’s undivided era.
“JMM is now sitting in the lap of Congress and RJD, both anti-tribal parties, solely driven by their hunger for power and tribal exploitation. Unlike them, BJP established this state in 2000,” Modi said, calling for Kolhan’s people to “rise again against anti-tribal forces”.
The PM also alleged demographic shifts in Jharkhand due to infiltration, which he said JMM and its INDIA bloc partners were supporting to secure electoral gains. “Whilst the nation harbours no expectations from Congress, it’s imperative to deliver a fitting response to JMM for their silence over tribal atrocities due to vote-bank politics,” he said.
The PM’s rally followed BJP’s release of a 25-point manifesto for Jharkhand, unveiled Sunday by Amit Shah who pledged to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi immigrants accused of encroach ing on tribal lands.
Modi praised the manifesto, asserting its alignment with Centre’s goals, including a commitment to filling three lakh govt jobs without any recruitment exam irregularities such as question paper leaks. “Under the Hemant govt, the exam process in the past five years has been outsourced to the paper-leak mafia. However, Modi shall not tolerate such activities and each perpetrator shall face consequences,” he warned.
In response to Modi’s remarks, JMM and Congress accused him of misleading voters. JMM rebuffed BJP’s criticism of “dynastic politics” within INDIA bloc, pointing out that BJP itself has nominated candidates from political families, including relatives of former CMs Madhu Koda, Arjun Munda, and Champai Soren, as well as the daughter-in-law of Odisha governor Raghubar Das.