‘Our 'mati, beti and roti' are under threat from infiltration’: Amit Shah in Jharkhand

Ranchi: In a sharp critique of the JMM-led government in Jharkhand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused the ruling coalition of "supporting Bangladeshi infiltrators for vote-bank politics" and vowed that if the BJP returns to power, it will introduce strict legislation to prevent the transfer of tribal lands to illegal immigrants.

Speaking at a BJP rally in Dhalbhumgarh in Ghatshila, East Singhbhum district, Shah claimed that the tribal population in Jharkhand has been shrinking, alleging that the Hemant Soren government views "Bangladeshi infiltrators as part of its vote bank”.

"Bangladeshi infiltration is leading to a sharp decline in Jharkhand's tribal population, especially in regions like Santhal Parganas and Kolhan. The JMM-Congress-RJD alliance is encouraging this for short-term political gains," Shah alleged.

"Our 'Mati, Beti and Roti' (land, daughter and livelihood) are under threat. The BJP will not let this continue. We will introduce a stringent law to prevent tribal lands from being transferred to infiltrators. We will also reclaim occupied lands and drive them out," he asserted.

Shah further accused the JMM of supporting Naxalism, while crediting the BJP-led Central Government with significantly reducing it.

He also promised that if elected, the BJP would ensure 27 percent reservation for OBCs in Jharkhand without impacting the reservation structure for other communities.

"The upcoming assembly elections will be fought to reform the system and stop the corrupt JMM from misappropriating funds intended for the state’s poor tribals," he stated.

Shah assured the public that under the BJP's leadership, migration out of Jharkhand would be curtailed in the next five years, asserting that the BJP is the only party that can bring true development to the state. He highlighted that the tribal welfare budget was a mere Rs 24,000 crore under the UPA, which the Modi government increased to Rs 1.24 lakh crore.

Shah also announced that if the BJP forms the government, it would ensure procurement of 51 forest products at minimum support price (MSP) and buy paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal, with payments processed within 48 hours.

He urged voters to support former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren, running in Seraikela, his son Babulal Soren in Ghatshila and Dineshanand Goswami in Baharagora.

Jharkhand's 81-seat Assembly will be contested in two phases on November 13 and 20, with vote counting scheduled for November 23.

Agencies