Unfazed from the Opposition parties’ allegations of violation of model code of conduct, the BJP is leaving no stone unturned to win the littipara by-poll with CM Raghubar Das holding three political rallies back to back on the fourth consecutive day in the Assembly constituency. A gamut of leaders is camping in the area for campaigning ahead of the poll on April 9.
At the end of his four-day campaign, Das took a dig at JMM chief Hemant Soren in Dumka calling his government a corrupt one that did not even leave a religious place from corruption. “Hemant Soren’s Government was so corrupt that one of his ministers Haji Hussain Ansari did irregularities in his own religious place at Haj House in Ranchi,” said Das speaking to media persons on Saturday.
“We have ensured a fair probe in the matter. The Anti-Corruption Bureau is probing the matter and soon we will bring the culprits to book,” said the CM. Incidentally, President Pranab Mukherjee will lay the foundation stone of a new Haj House in Ranchi on Sunday.
Alleging the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha of practicing nepotism in politics, the CM further said that the Sorens have been doing everything to hide their crimes and leveling baseless allegations against others without proper knowledge. “The party does not even have any idea about the model code of conduct that it applies in the constituency where elections are scheduled and not in the district,” he said.
“People not only in littipara but the whole Santhal Paragana are fed up with JMM. They want a change and this is why the JMM is so desperate and anxious to level such charges,” Das added.
Meanwhile, the BJP continued its whirlwind campaigning with its senior leaders including Ministers louis Marandi, Raj Paliwar, Amar Bauri, Randhir Singh, MlA Anant Ojha, Spokespersons Praveen Prabhakar, JB Tubid, Pratul Shahdeo and Deendayal Barnwal among others. The teams formed for campaigning is focusing on maximum coverage of the constituency to get optimum mileage in the media, said a leader.
However, insiders revealed that the JMM has a strong presence in the area with the support base of Santhal population. “We are basically banking on Pahariya population, which is a principal opposition of the Santhals. Everything said and done it is a big challenge to crack this seat,” said a leader campaigning in the area requesting anonymity.
“Santhals have a constant support to JMM and the meat ban may not go well with them as many of them are beef eaters. Also, the JMM is trying its best to cash in on the issue of demonetisation.
If Pahariyas come forward to vote for us in good numbers and votes are divided, we may have a chance,” he added.