SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 13: Chief Minister Hemant Soren has alleged that the death rate in Jharkhand rose due to the distribution of fake COVID-19 medicines by the BJP.
Hemant Soren, speaking at election rallies in Baghmara and Baliapur on Wednesday afternoon in support of INDIA Alliance candidates Jaleswer Mahto (Congress) and Babloo Mahto (CPI-ML), and in Nirsa for Arup Chatterjee of the CPIML accused the BJP of deceiving the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The death ratio has increased in the country as the BJP administered fake Corona medicine to people. The BJP gave responsibility (contract) to supply Covid medicines to those who had given them funds for contesting elections,” Soren claimed.
Hemant Soren stated that the JMM faced a heavy toll during COVID-19, losing two ministers, Jagarnath Mahto and Haji Hussain Ansari. However, he emphasised that he ensured the people of Jharkhand did not suffer due to the pandemic.
The chief minister claimed the BJP’s administration was inadequate in addressing public health needs and safeguarding lives.
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BJP bid to topple Hemant govt
Highlighting his government’s achievements, Soren noted that his is the first non-BJP administration in Jharkhand’s 24-year history to reach this milestone.
He accused Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of attempting to undermine his government, saying, “Rattled by it, the Assam chief minister was hovering like a bird after taking ‘supari’ (contract) to topple my government. He did not succeed in toppling the government but sent me to jail.”
BJP rushed elections: Hemant
Soren further alleged that under the BJP, Jharkhand’s resources were handed over to businessmen, leading to rampant mining and mineral exploitation. “During the double-engine government over 20 years, instead of making any progress, Jharkhand was dragged into stagnation,” he said.
He also accused the BJP of calling elections in the state a month and a half early, stating, “When the mission failed, the BJP called one and half month early elections in Jharkhand. No elections before time have been held in any state of the country.”
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JMM’s efforts for farmers, labourers, women
Calling the BJP “anti-labour, anti-farmer, anti-tribal, and anti-Dalit,” Soren criticised the party’s 20-year rule in Jharkhand for failing to provide loan relief to these communities.
He contrasted this with his government’s policies, noting that the JMM government has written off loans for farmers and cleared electricity dues for impoverished households.
Reflecting on his government’s achievements, Soren mentioned that due to COVID-19 disruptions, the JMM government had only 2.5 effective years to implement policies.
He pointed out the state’s poverty and the dependency of many residents on work outside Jharkhand.
“But my government has made a new policy for labour and empowerment of women so that they become self-dependent,” he stated, highlighting his commitment to labour rights and women’s development.
