Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday criticized the Congress party, accusing it of holding “dangerous intentions” regarding reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
Addressing a rally in Sarath, the PM said that the Congress has historically opposed reservation policies and is working to undermine the rights of these groups. He urged voters to “stay vigilant and united,” underscoring the importance of protecting the collective strength of SC, ST, and OBC communities.
PM Modi referred to past statements by Congress leaders, asserting that the party’s attempts to weaken reservations began under former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
“The Congress prince has shown he wants to end SC/ST/OBC reservation. His father once tried the same and faced defeat,” he said, adding that Congress has struggled to regain a majority since then.
“In regions where SC/ST/OBC populations are significant, Congress has been wiped out,” he pointed out.
The prime minister also criticized the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for prioritizing their families over the public’s welfare. “Be it JMM, Congress, or RJD, they only think about their own families’ future. But Modi is concerned about your family,” he stressed.
The prime minister also accused JMM and Congress of mismanaging Jharkhand’s natural resources, claiming they “stole water, forests, land, sand, coal, and even government jobs.” He condemned certain Congress leaders’ “insulting” remarks toward female tribal leaders and daughters, highlighting BJP’s dedication to empowering tribal communities and referencing the role of President Murmu.
Raising concerns about foreign infiltration, Prime Minister Modi alleged that it has led to a significant reduction in the tribal population in areas like Santhal. “We must protect our tribal families and every Jharkhandi,” he emphasized, contending that the Congress-JMM government has been ineffective in addressing this issue. He assured the crowd that a BJP-led administration would focus on protecting Jharkhand’s resources, identity, and the welfare of its residents, prioritizing “Roti, Beti, and Maati” (bread, daughters, and land).
With the first phase of Jharkhand’s voting underway, the PM encouraged strong support for the BJP, promoting women’s empowerment and opportunities for youth as central to a prosperous future.
With the first phase of Jharkhand’s voting underway, PM Modi encouraged strong support for the BJP, emphasizing women’s empowerment and opportunities for youth as key to a prosperous future.
Voting in this first phase, covering 43 of 81 seats, began on Wednesday at 7 am. The remaining seats will go to the polls on November 20, with vote counting scheduled to take place on November 23.
