A significant statement emerged from Jharkhand's politics on Thursday, as Chief Minister Hemant Soren launched a scathing attack on the central BJP government on the final day of the assembly's monsoon session. Questioning the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, he stated that it contained a hidden agenda.
Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren launched a fierce attack on the central BJP government on Thursday, the last day of the assembly's monsoon session. He alleged that the central government was playing a major hidden game by introducing the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill. CM Soren also accused the BJP of consistently betraying Jharkhand and the tribal community.
He stated that it was incomprehensible why such an amendment was introduced, which provisioned that a minister, if sentenced to 30 days or more of imprisonment, would be removed from office.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren Raises Questions on Constitutional Amendment
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that the amendment bill provided for the removal of a minister if they are sentenced to 30 days or more. Describing this amendment as "unnecessary," he said, "It is beyond comprehension as to why such a law has been brought. There is some hidden motive behind it.
Hemant Soren accused the BJP of using the Election Commission for political gain. He claimed that the names of lakhs of voters in Bihar were removed with the help of the Election Commission. Furthermore, he stated that anyone who opposes the central government is trapped in false cases through central agencies like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax Department.
Soren also alleged that the central government has provided legal protection to the Election Commission, under which the Chief Election Commissioner and other commissioners are not subject to any legal action for decisions taken during their tenure.
Attack on Tribal Politics and Central Government Schemes
Soren accused the BJP of engaging in token politics in the name of tribals. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates projects worth crores in Jharkhand on Birsa Munda's birth anniversary, but these projects have no visible impact on the ground. He mentioned that the state government had invited President Droupadi Murmu on Birsa Munda's birth anniversary, but this invitation was declined. Instead, the Prime Minister came and made grand promises, but the situation remains the same.
The Chief Minister alleged that the central government is pushing for the auction of Jharkhand's mines. He stated, "Jharkhand provides coal and minerals to the country. Metros like Delhi and Mumbai are illuminated by these resources, but the tribals here are still struggling with poverty, disease, and malnutrition. Mines like uranium have caused deformities and diseases among the local population, while only big industrialists are benefiting."
Doubt over Shibu Soren Receiving Bharat Ratna
Hemant Soren said that the assembly had unanimously passed a resolution that JMM founder and his father, Shibu Soren, should be awarded the Bharat Ratna. However, he doubted that the central government would do so. He said, "Those who do good work do not get respect. For example, Ladakh's environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk did not receive a Padma award; instead, his institution was harassed.
CM Soren launched a sharp attack on the BJP, calling it a "gang of thugs" that misleads the public in the name of the Gujarat model. He said that half the country's population is being misled through false propaganda and half-truths. The Chief Minister became emotional during the session. He said that this monsoon session would be unforgettable as it had to be adjourned after the demise of his father and JMM founder, Shibu Soren.
He said, "Guruji was a beacon of inspiration for tribals, Dalits, backward classes, and the poor. His contribution cannot be described in words. We will continue to walk on the path shown by him."
