'Scam marathon' under JMM-Congress-RJD rule 'biggest obstacle' to Jharkhand's development: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified his criticism of the ruling alliance in Jharkhand, comprising the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), labeling them as the primary obstacles to the state's progress. During a rally in Hazaribagh on Wednesday, PM Modi accused the alliance of engaging in corruption and undermining development efforts.
"JMM has been coloured by Congress and RJD," PM PM Modi said."This is not the old JMM. Today, it is influenced by the Congress ecosystem. Their language and character have changed, and now they are attempting to alter the very soul of Jharkhand." He further accused the alliance of orchestrating a "marathon of scams."
PM Modi highlighted the contrast between the central and state governments, saying, "While the central government is working day and night for Jharkhand's development, the Hemant Soren-led government is derailing progress. Jharkhand will only grow when there is a change in the state."
PM Modi also alleged rampant corruption under the current regime, citing a surge in government transfers. "Thousands of transfers have taken place in the last two weeks. JMM has profited from this, but this game won’t last long. Every penny of this loot will be accounted for," he warned.
Congress and RJD's past loot allegations
Addressing a Parivartan Mahasabha, PM Modi accused the Congress and RJD of exploiting Jharkhand prior to its formation in 2001. "RJD had turned Jharkhand into a place of loot, openly plundering water, forest, and land, with Congress being an equal shareholder," PM Modi claimed. He credited former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for creating Jharkhand peacefully and promoting tribal welfare, a vision he said the BJP continues to uphold.
Protecting reservations for SC, ST, and OBC communities
PM Modi assured the people of Jharkhand that reservation rights for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) would remain untouched. "Congress wants to snatch SC, ST, OBC reservation, but no one can do it," he emphasized, accusing the opposition of neglecting the marginalized communities.
Population decline and vote bank politics
PM Modi also raised concerns over the declining population of Hindus and Adivasis in Jharkhand, accusing the JMM-led government of playing "vote bank politics" by supporting infiltrators. He warned that such politics threatened the state's identity, urging voters to protect their "mati, beti, roti" (land, daughters, and livelihoods). "The time is ripe for 'Parivartan' (change) in Jharkhand," PM Modi declared.
Parivartan Yatra culminates
The rally marked the conclusion of BJP’s Parivartan Yatra, covering 5,400 km across Jharkhand's 81 assembly segments. Modi’s visit, his second to the state in two weeks, underscored the BJP’s push ahead of the state’s upcoming assembly elections, expected by December 2024.
Union home minister Amit Shah had earlier flagged off the Parivartan Yatra on September 20, signaling the BJP's focused effort to reclaim Jharkhand from the current ruling coalition.