Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Jharkhand government on Friday, as he kicked off an energetic campaign for the BJP in the assembly polls, asking people to free the state from dynastic rule and exhorting Maoists to give up guns and participate in nation-building.
Addressing two rallies at Daltonganj and Chandwa, Modi spoke about multiple issues ranging from corruption and underdevelopment to toilets and opening bank accounts for all. At Daltonganj, where he had the first of his two rallies, the prime Minister asked people to put an end to family rule.
“If you want Jharkhand to progress, want employment for youth and take the state to prosperity, you have to put an end to dynastic politics, the politics of father-son, brother-nephew,” he said, apparently referring to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren and his chief minister son Hemant Soren.
“How much have they looted the state, but there is no shame,” Modi said, adding that development was the only solution for Jharkhand’s growth and urged people to give him a “chance to serve them”.
The BJP is relying on its charismatic PM to attract voters in the militancy-torn state when it goes to the polls on November 25.
{{/usCountry}}The BJP is relying on its charismatic PM to attract voters in the militancy-torn state when it goes to the polls on November 25.
{{/usCountry}}Talking about his recent Australia visit, Modi said that like the island-continent, Jharkhand was blessed with resources, although that has not helped the state’s poor.
“There are five rivers in the state, but farmers are languishing without water for their lands and villages are struggling for drinking water. The state is rich in terms of the natural resources, but its farmers are poor,” he said, adding that a BJP government would interlink rivers to help farmers irrigate their fields.
At Chandwa, the Prime Minister addressed a 50,000-strong crowd, appealing to the youth to abjure violence and work for Jharkhand’s development.
“I appeal to those who have picked up the gun to shun it and pick up the plough. This is your country and work shoulder to shoulder in developing it,” he said in Maoist-hit Latehar district.
Earlier, Modi spoke about the steps his government had taken to empower the country’s poor.