THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, May 12: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday staged a ‘Matki Phod’ (pot-breaking) protest in Ranchi against the ongoing water and electricity crisis in Jharkhand, accusing the Hemant Soren government of failing to provide basic amenities to the people.
The protest, organised under the joint aegis of the BJP Ranchi district unit, began from the Zila School Ground near Shaheed Chowk and proceeded to the District Collectorate, where party workers staged a demonstration and raised slogans against the state government.
Thousands of BJP workers, including women carrying earthen pots on their heads, participated in the agitation. Senior BJP leaders, including state president Aditya Sahu, former chief minister Arjun Munda, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Ranchi MLA C.P. Singh, and former state president Yadunath Pandey, were present during the protest.
BJP Targets Hemant Government Over Utility Crisis
Addressing party workers, Aditya Sahu said the severe water shortage and frequent power cuts had disrupted normal life across Jharkhand and triggered widespread public anger.
“The BJP has always fought for the rights and basic amenities of the people and will continue to do so. The anger visible on the streets today reflects the frustration of the public against the failures of the Hemant government,” he said.
Sahu warned that if the people’s grievances were not addressed immediately, the BJP would intensify its agitation across the state.
“If necessary, thousands of BJP workers will take to the streets and bring Jharkhand to a standstill. The people who have the power to form a government also have the power to remove it,” he said.
‘Public Money Used for Elections’
Sahu alleged that instead of improving water and electricity supply, the state government had diverted public funds for election campaigning in other states.
“The hard-earned money of Jharkhand’s people was spent during elections in Bengal and Assam instead of being used to provide water and electricity to citizens,” he alleged.
He further claimed that funds allocated under central government schemes, including the Jal Jeevan Mission and the ‘Nal Se Jal’ programme, had not been properly utilised in Jharkhand.
“Thousands of crores meant for drinking water schemes remain unused because the government lacks the political will to implement them effectively,” Sahu said.
Arjun Munda Alleges Misuse of Central Funds
Former chief minister Arjun Munda alleged that the state government had failed to utilise over ₹5,000 crore allocated by the Centre for tap water projects.
“The situation of water and electricity is alarming not only in Ranchi but across Jharkhand. Farmers, labourers, and common citizens are suffering while the government remains inactive,” he said.
Munda termed the protest symbolic and warned that the agitation would intensify if the situation did not improve.
Sanjay Seth Criticises State Administration
Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said the water and power crisis had become severe across the state, including the capital Ranchi, but alleged that the administration had failed to take effective steps.
“The public is struggling for necessities like electricity and water while the government remains a silent spectator,” he said.
Seth also alleged that several centrally funded development schemes in Jharkhand were suffering due to administrative failures and poor implementation.