JMM hits back at BJP over student agitation, calls 48-hour ultimatum ‘political drama’
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK RANCHI, September 4: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) general secretary Vinod Pandey has launched a sharp counterattack against the…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
RANCHI, September 4: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) general secretary Vinod Pandey has launched a sharp counterattack against the BJP over its 48-hour ultimatum to the state government and announcement of a phased agitation, accusing the opposition party of using students’ issues for political gains.
Pandey said the BJP was doing “political drama” in the name of students and attempting to exploit the anger among young people for its own political interests.
Pandey challenges BJP over student cases
Reacting to the BJP’s demand for withdrawal of cases registered against students during the recent agitation, Pandey said the BJP should produce facts and evidence if it claimed that the cases were “fake”.
He said those who violate the law cannot be given political protection in the name of student protests.
According to Pandey, the BJP was attempting to challenge the functioning of the government under the cover of agitation and was using the issue to create political pressure on the state government.
‘BJP should first explain its employment record’
Pandey also questioned the BJP’s record on employment, saying the party should first explain how many job opportunities were created for young people during its years in power at the Centre and in Jharkhand.
He said the BJP’s criticism of the state government over students’ concerns could not hide what he described as its own record on employment.
Pandey also rejected the BJP’s allegations of “selling jobs”, challenging the party to make public any evidence it had.
“If the BJP has evidence, it should bring it before the public,” he said, while accusing the party of making baseless allegations to mislead people.
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‘Government does not run on BJP’s ultimatum’
Taking aim at the BJP’s 48-hour ultimatum, Pandey described it as a sign of the party’s “frustration and political arrogance”.
He said the Jharkhand government would not function on the basis of ultimatums issued by the BJP.
Pandey said the opposition party appeared to believe that threats and political pressure could force the government to yield, but such an approach would not succeed.
JMM defends meeting with Chief Secretary
Pandey also rejected the BJP’s criticism of meetings between INDIA bloc leaders and Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar.
He said there was nothing unusual about political leaders meeting the Chief Secretary on issues concerning the state and alleged that the BJP was interpreting every political activity as a sign of a crisis within the government.
He termed the BJP’s suggestion that the INDIA bloc leaders did not have confidence in Chief Minister Hemant Soren as “completely ridiculous”.
‘BJP using students’ shoulders to further politics’
Pandey accused the BJP of trying to use students as a political shield to advance its own agenda.
He said the youth of Jharkhand were capable of understanding the BJP’s political strategy and would not be misled by it.
He added that the government would not come under pressure merely because the BJP issued ultimatums or announced protests, asserting that attempts to force the government into political submission would not succeed.
