Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday slammed the Congress party, calling it an “anti-reservation” party and vowing that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would not allow reservations for Muslims as long as they have even one MLA in power. Speaking at a public rally in poll-bound Dhanbad, Shah said that the Congress is trying to end reservations for backward classes and Dalits in order to extend them to Muslims.
“Congress is an anti-reservation party. They want to end reservations for backward classes and Dalits to provide it to Muslims. As long as there’s even one BJP MLA, we won’t allow reservations for Muslims,” Shah said, addressing a crowd in the state’s coal hub.
Shah also raised allegations of corruption against the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), citing the seizure of large sums of money from political figures. “If 35 crore rupees are seized from JMM Minister Alamgir Alam’s house and 350 crore rupees from a Congress MP’s house, then whose money is this? This is the money looted from the youth and mothers of Dhanbad,” he said, accusing the ruling government of corruption and promising to tackle the issue if the BJP comes to power.
He further criticized the state government for being “scam-ridden,” mentioning alleged scams in MGNREGA, land, and mining sectors. “They are a scam-ridden government,” Shah added.
In his speech, the Union Home Minister reaffirmed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to fulfill promises, saying, “Modi’s guarantee is like ‘pathar ki lakeer’ (carved in stone).” Shah outlined several key promises, including direct financial assistance for women, subsidies on gas prices, and economic support for youth, farmers, and pensioners. “When our government comes, we will implement our ‘Sankalp Patra’. We will fulfill all guarantees we make. We have promised that Rs 2,100 will be deposited into women’s bank accounts. Regardless of gas prices nationwide, it won’t cost more than Rs 500 here. On Diwali and Raksha Bandhan, BJP’s government will provide two free gas cylinders,” Shah said.
The BJP leader also touched on the issue of illegal infiltration, asserting that outsiders are taking away Jharkhand’s resources. “They marry tribal women 2-3 times and take over their land. When BJP comes to power, we will find and deport every infiltrator from here,” Shah stated.
The first phase of Jharkhand’s assembly elections is set for Wednesday, with the second phase scheduled for November 20. Results will be announced on November 23. In the previous assembly elections, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha won 30 seats, BJP secured 25, and Congress took 16 seats.