Formally launching its campaign for the panchayat polls in Mayurbhanj on Friday, regional political force Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) held out quite a few tall and attractive promises for the voters of the district.
If voted to power in the Zilla Parishad elections in Mayurbhanj, it will create direct and indirect employment opportunities for 1 lakh unemployed youths by promoting tourism, the JMM leadership has promised. Besides, it will make sincere and serious efforts to establish a football academy in the district, make the now-defunct Amarda Airstrip operational once again, which was Asia’s second largest airstrip once upon a time, construct new railway lines connecting Bangiriposi-Gorumahisani, Budhamara-Chakulia and Badampahar-Keonjhargarh and also set up a mega steel plant in Mayurbhanj, the JMM leaders like Kalinga Keshari Jena and Fagu Hansdah assured.
In order to please the district’s tribal population, the party has further announced that it will strive hard to get the State’s second official language status for Santhali, protect and promote the “Jahiraa Peethas” of the Adivasis and uphold the rights of different tribal communities like Santhals, Kohlas, Bathudis, Sauntis and Bhuyans.
The meeting was attended by most of its State committee and district committee leaders. A number of ZP candidates and Youth wing leaders were also present.
Though the JMM, after the desertion of Minister Sudam Marandi and MlA Bhadav Hansdah is here no more a force to reckon with, according to many, it is still likely to put up a good fight against BJD, BJP and Congress in certain pockets of the district.