NEW DELHI: Congress’ recent poll promise of providing subsidised LPG cylinders to all — Hindus, Muslims, infiltrators — in Jharkhand has given fresh ammunition to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which in its election campaign has focused on the issue of Bangladeshi infiltration to attack Hemant Soren’s JMM and the grand old party.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lead the attack on the Congress over its LPG cylinder promise in Jharkhand.
AICC general secretary and Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir sparked row as he promised gas cylinders at Rs 450 to all citizens of Jharkhand, whether they are infiltrators or not. His promise evoked a sharp reaction from the BJP which termed the statement as “anti-national”.
Speaking at an election rally in Maharashtra’s Panvel, PM Modi hit out at Congress saying, “While they (Congress) are questioning us on providing free ration to the poor, one of the ministers of Congress has announced to give free cylinders to Hindus, Muslims and infiltrators too.”
In an indirect reference to Mir’s poll promise, PM Modi said, “They are openly announcing to give free cylinders to Rohingyas and Bangladeshis. It’s a prime example of how they are playing a game with the country and the future of your children to get votes.”
“Therefore, we need to keep in mind that Congress is a pioneer in the politics of vote banks and they are also enemies of the poor. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the poor to stop Congress,” PM Modi added.
Earlier in the day, Congress’ Mir promised LPG cylinders at Rs 450 to all the people in Jharkhand, be it a Hindu, Muslim or infiltrator.
“We have promised that we will provide gas cylinders at Rs 450 from December 1 if our government is formed. This will be for the common masses… whether they are Hindus, Muslims, infiltrators – it will be given to all Jharkhand citizens, no other factor will be considered,” Mir said addressing a poll rally in Jharkhand’s Bermo assembly constituency.
This remark came at a time when BJP leadership has raised concerns about alleged infiltration support by the JMM-led coalition for electoral gains in Jharkhand.
Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “The Congress’ Ghulam Ahmad Mir said they will provide gas cylinders to infiltrators at Rs 450. It is the Congress–JMM-RJD government that is patronising infiltration in Jharkhand.”
During an electoral gathering at Birni in Giridih district, he claimed that numerous infiltrators entered Jharkhand, with the government facilitating their access to voter and ration cards.
Speaking at a separate event in Bokaro, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath stated, “The Congress in charge has promised to give cylinders to Hindus, Muslims and infiltrators. BJP will not allow handing over of tribals rights to infiltrators.”
The upcoming second phase of elections is scheduled for November 20. Whilst the initial phase concluded on Wednesday, the vote count will take place on November 23. Maharashtra will also vote on November 20 in single phase.