Babulal Marandi’s nomination for Koderma seat becomes first show of unity for Mahagathbandhan in Jharkhand. Leaders of JMM, Congress and RJD participated in it
Mahagathbandhan leaders share stage in Giridih
Giridih/Ranchi: Amid the show of the Mahagathbandan’s unity in Jharkhand, former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi filed his nomination for the Koderma Lok Sabha parliamentary seat. He was accompanied by the heads of the Opposition parties that are part of the gathbandhan in Jharkhand, including Jharkhand Mukhti Morcha (JMM)’s working president and former Chief Minister Hemant Soren, President of Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee Dr. Ajoy Kumar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)’s Jharkhand President Gautam Sagar Rana, and the Congress’ Ranchi candidate Subodh Kant Sahai.
After filling his nomination papers, Marandi made a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.
“If you can recall 2014’s Lok Sabha election, then you shall remember that Narendra Modi had promised to provide two crore jobs to youth every year. Now they do not discuss employment. Had they given the jobs, then by now 10 crore youth would have got employed. But now, even the government reports indicate that in the last five years, 12 crore unemployed youth have had themselves registered at the employment exchange,” said the Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) chief, during his speech.
He further said, “Modi had promised that farmers of increasing their income by one and half time, but it did not happen. Now they do not talk about farmers. In fact, several laws have been brought to displace farmers. BJP has tried to finish or weaken all the constitutional bodies. And tried to finish the constitution too. Whether it is CBI, RBI or election commission, nothing has been left. Even the judiciary has not been spared and judges have had to hold a press conference.”
He then added, “Narendra Modi had asked for 60 months to fulfill all the promises, but he spent 22 months outside India. This government is neither of the tribal, scheduled castes, nor of the minorities. They tried to end the diversity of the country, and created enmity among communities. They garlanded the killers. The work which should have been done, they did not do, and what should not have been done, they did it.”
JMM working president Hemant Soren said, “India is safe in the hands of the army, there is no threat to the country. But if the country has any threat, then it is from BJP and NDA people.”
He added, “The people (BJP) who say they have double engine government, have looted the country double–country as well state. The farmers are forced to die today, and by giving farmers Rs. 6,000 annually, the Prime Minister has made the farmers look like beggars.”
He also praised the Congress Nyay scheme and said that when Rs. 72,000 will come to farmers and later in the market, it would definitely boost the economy.
“At one side capitalists are standing, and on the other, farmers, labourers, the poor, Dalits, and Adivasis. Let’s see who wins?” Soren added.
Dr. Ajoy Kumar mentioned in his speech about the gaffe in the BJP manifesto, which stated that they would increase crime against women. He also pointed out that while the Jharkhand government is closing down schools, it is opening wine shops.
“You can understand the mentality of BJP by knowing what they think about women. If BJP comes to power again, jobs won’t be created and the farmers will be ruined,” he said.
He further motivated the crowd by saying, “It is your responsibility, and no else’s. Keep your future in your hand. Throw away the ones who are spreading fake nationalism, casteism and communalism.” He added, “A para-teacher gets Rs. 8,000 to 10,000, but a wine shop employee earns Rs. 32,000 in Jharkhand, so this is BJP. When they come seeking your vote, remember that they have beaten the poor to death in the name of Hindu-Muslim, beaten scheduled caste people, and remember that youth are jobless even after doing engineering.”