RANCHI: A fresh political row has erupted in poll bound state of Jharkhand after the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on October 5, released its manifesto for the upcoming elections, focusing on ‘Panch Prana’ (Five principles).
The announcement features the much debated ‘Gogo Didi Yojna’ (Scheme) under which the party has promised to provide a monthly assistance of Rs 2100 to the women resident of the state.
Energised by the announcement, the BJP workers have already started outreaching the people with the forms of the scheme, informing them about the benefits promised. However, the efforts made by BJP workers has met with a critical response from the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, who while terming it a violation of the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines claimed, that the BJP is constantly flouting the rules of the ECI while the Commission is ignoring it.
भाजपा लगातार .@ECISVEEP के नियमों की धज्जियां उड़ा रहा है – और कमीशन सो रही है।
– आख़िर भाजपा को नियम तोड़ने की विशेष छूट है क्या ?
– आख़िर इतने छूट के बाद भी 240 ही क्यों ?
चुनाव आयोग कहता है की किसी भी तरह का फॉर्म नहीं भरवाया जा सकता है – पर भाजपा के नेता, दल बदलू लगातार… pic.twitter.com/gMwL0eWe3S
— Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (@JmmJharkhand) October 7, 2024
Taking it forward, the state’s Chief Minister, Hemant Soren on Monday, October 7 instructed all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to take cognizance and ensure that all the rules of Election Commission are followed strictly.
The CM while taking on the X further said, “All Deputy Commissioners should take strict action against the culprits and inform after filing a case under relevant sections.” Following the CM’s instruction, Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi quickly replied to his post and informed that the concerned have been directed to ensure immediate action.
Though, soon after the CM’s post on the matter, a number of senior leaders of the BJP while reacting strongly against the instructions, reminded the CM that the ECI’s Model Code of Conduct comes into effect from the date of issue of the election notifications.
Taking to the X, Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the co-in-charge of the BJP for the Jharkhand’s assembly polls said “The Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct comes into effect from the date of the election notification. Until the issuance of such notification, every political party is within its right to carry out party programs. As long as we are not violating any rules or constitutional provisions, any interference in our activities will be deemed to be illegal.
चुनाव आयोग की आदर्श आचार संहिता चुनाव अधिसूचना जारी होने की तिथि से प्रभाव में आती है। अधिसूचना जारी होने तक, प्रत्येक राजनीतिक दल को अपने कार्यक्रम संचालित करने का अधिकार है। जब तक हम किसी नियम या संवैधानिक प्रावधान का उल्लंघन नहीं कर रहे हैं, हमारी गतिविधियों में किसी भी प्रकार… https://t.co/RqNtD0lyIU
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 7, 2024
Echoing Sarma’s view, former Chief Minister of the state and incumbent Jharkhand BJP president, Babu Lal Marandi in a press release issued, dared the state government to file a case against him asserting, that he will himself get the form filled.
Accusing the CM for lacking constitutional knowledge Marandi alleged, that the CM is frustrated with the increasing trend and support of the public towards BJP and is making every effort to disrupt this public welfare scheme. He further alleged the CM for harassing and implicating BJP workers in false cases.
गोगो दीदी योजना के तहत भारतीय जनता पार्टी महिलाओं को आर्थिक और सामाजिक रूप से सशक्त बनाने की दिशा में ठोस कदम उठा रही है। इस योजना के अंतर्गत महिलाओं के बैंक खातों में सरकार बनने के तुरंत बाद 2100 रुपए प्रति माह भेजे जाएंगे। इसके लिए भाजपा कार्यकर्ता सक्रिय रूप से फॉर्म भरवा रहे…
— Babulal Marandi (@yourBabulal) October 7, 2024
“I want to assure all of you (BJP workers) that “I myself, along with you will go among mothers and sisters and get this Gogo Didi Yojna form filled for their development and progress,” added Marandi in a long statement released over the issue.
It must be noted here that months before the state assembly polls, the incumbent state government led by CM, Hemant Soren had announced the much debated Maiya Samman Yojna under which a financial assistance of Rs 1000 is being provided to the women of the state.
The scheme has been praised by many of the leaders of the ruling coalition of JMM-Congress-RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) who termed it as a significant step towards empowering the women of the state. Though, months after the launching of the scheme, the opposition BJP has now announced the Gogo Didi Yojna, a move speculated by many to counter the earlier scheme announced by the ruling coalition before the state assembly polls.
Significantly, the political atmosphere of the poll bound state has already been charged up over various issues such as allegations pertaining to irregularities in competitive examinations, corruption and illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals, prompting an escalated political tug of war between the two major political stream of the state i.e. the ruling JMM and the opposition BJP.
Notably, the state is all set to hold its assembly elections in upcoming months, where the JMM led coalition is eyeing a return to the power, banking on its traditional voters, the main opposition BJP has already launched an aggressive campaign in the state, aiming a comeback in the 81 seats assembly.
