THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, June 17: Former Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das on Tuesday asserted that the BJP’s “politics of performance” would eventually help the party expand its footprint in Jharkhand and return to power in the state.
Addressing party workers and supporters in Daltonganj during events linked to the BJP’s outreach on the Narendra Modi government’s 12 years in office, Das expressed confidence that Jharkhand would also be “saffronised” in the coming years.
BJP Banking on Performance Politics
Describing the BJP’s approach as a “politics of performance,” Das said neighbouring states have increasingly come under the BJP’s influence.
“Neighbouring states of Jharkhand are saffronised, while Jharkhand remains an exception,” Das said, without naming specific states.
He claimed that the BJP was already preparing for the next Assembly elections and predicted that the party would return to power when Jharkhand goes to the polls in 2029.
“Jharkhand will also be saffronised in 2029. The BJP is already working towards that goal,” he said.
BJP Highlights Modi Government’s 12-Year Record
Das was in Daltonganj as part of the BJP’s campaign highlighting the achievements of the Narendra Modi government’s 12 years in office.
During his address, he referred to the party’s Hindi booklet titled ‘Pragati Path Par, 12 Varsh Ki Yatra’, outlining various initiatives and achievements of the central government.
Party leaders have frequently projected the Modi government’s 12-year tenure as a period of development and governance reforms.
Targets JMM and Congress
The former chief minister also launched a sharp attack on the ruling alliance in Jharkhand, particularly the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress.
He accused the JMM of making false promises to the people and questioned the effectiveness of the Maiyyan Samman Yojana, suggesting that the scheme had influenced voters and distanced them from the BJP’s “double-engine government” narrative.
Das was particularly critical of the Congress over the controversy surrounding the use of local languages in state service examinations.
He demanded the resignation of all four Congress ministers in the Jharkhand government, holding them accountable for the issue.
Opposition Alliance Accused of Governance Failures
Das alleged that the alliance of the JMM, Congress and RJD had pushed the state into a situation marked by public dissatisfaction and rising corruption.
According to him, people in Jharkhand were facing hardships while governance standards had deteriorated under the current dispensation.
Raises Questions Over Medical College Project
Referring to development projects in Palamu, Das highlighted the government medical college in Daltonganj, claiming that the project was initiated during his tenure as chief minister.
“The medical college in Daltonganj started functioning during my tenure. Even after seven years, it has not been equipped with 500 beds. Why?” he asked.
Questions Remain Over Mandal Dam Project
During interactions in Daltonganj, Das was also questioned about the Mandal Dam project, which remains incomplete and is yet to become fully operational.
Political observers pointed out that the project has not achieved the timelines earlier associated with it despite expectations of completion years ago.
Political sources in Palamu said that much of the development credited to the region over the past decade has been driven by the efforts of Palamu MP Vishnu Dayal Ram, particularly in expanding rail and road connectivity.
Sources added that efforts to attract large-scale industry to the region continue to face challenges, with the lack of air connectivity remaining a major obstacle for potential investors.
