In Jharkhand, political heavyweights from both the N.D.A. and I.N.D.I.A. blocs are crisscrossing the state to garner support for their party’s candidates for the second phase of the assembly elections. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Amit Shah alleged that the Hemant Soren government is treating tribals as a vote bank only. While addressing an election meeting at Dumka, Deoghar, and Giridih, Mr. Shah said the UPA government did not allocate funds for the welfare of tribals in the state.
While addressing an election meeting at Jamtara, Senior BJP leader and Assembly Co-Incharge Himanta Biswa Sarma accused Hemant Soren of making false promises. Mr. Sarma said the election is the right time to dethrone the Hemant Soren government.
Film star-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty held rallies in Dumka and Jamtara. Several BJP leaders, including Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Champai Soren, also campaigned in support of NDA candidates. On the other hand, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the BJP is giving stepmotherly treatment to Jharkhand. Addressing an election meeting at Jamtara and Khijri, Mr. Kharge accused the Centre of not providing adequate cess from mines to the state.
Senior JMM leader and Chief Minister Hemant Soren also alleged that the BJP of threatening his government. Addressing an election meeting at Dumka, Mr. Soren accused the Centre of misusing central agencies during the ongoing elections in the state.
Addressing people at Bagodar in Giridih, Senior RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged the BJP of spreading hatred. Leaders from the AJSU party and left-wing parties also held rallies and roadshows in various parts of Jharkhand.
Meanwhile, Politburo member of the CPM, Brinda Karat, said that both the BJP and the alliance of JMM had cheated the poor people of the state during their tenure. Talking to reporters in Dumka, she said the PESA law was framed for the protection of Jal (water), Jungle (forest), and Jamin (land), but its purpose had not been fulfilled. The second and final phase of voting will take place on the 20th of November. Counting of votes will take place on the 23rd of this month.
In Maharashtra, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today said that Congress and its alliance are fighting to protect the Constitution and reservation. He held rallies in Chandur and Dhamangaon Railway assembly constituencies in Amravati district, and Chimur assembly constituency in Chandrapur district to campaign for the Maha Vikas Aghadi candidates. Mr Gandhi once again pitched for a nationwide caste census and urged the Union government to conduct the exercise. He said that these important decisions should be taken to provide justice to all sections of society. Mr. Gandhi said that the five guarantees of Congress will be fulfilled if the Maha Vikas Aghadi is voted to power.
