Soren releases manifesto after filing nomination; Nishikant Dubey also files papers from Godda
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday released election manifesto for the parliamentary elections. The manifesto — lok Dastavej — was released at party’s stronghold Dumka shortly after the JMM chief filed his nomination for the constituency and in the presence of representatives of coalition partners.
The JMM’s manifesto although talks about making the State top among all States once again reaffirmed the JMM’s stand on special status to Jharkhand. The JMM was on board with the coalition partner Congress on the issue of special status. The manifesto alleged that the political parties clamouring for the coveted status are misleading people.
“We are blessed with minerals and that should be used for the betterment of the people of the State,” said the JMM patriarch on the occasion of the party manifesto’s release.The senior Soren was accompanied by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Congress leader Rajendra Prasad Singh and Rashtriya Janta Dal MlA Suresh Paswan. “Our win is certain,” said the JMM chief adding, “We will contest elections with other constituent parties of UPA (United Progressive Alliance).”
Interestingly, Chief Minister Hemant Soren once again attacked turncoats for leaving the party and reducing the coalition Government to minority. Soren threatened to expose the defecting MlAs. “We will expose the masqueraders at an opportune time,” said Hemant Soren.
Ironically, the JMM’s manifesto is all about old wine in a new bottle as most of its promises are the one which the party has been repeating from a considerable period of time. The party has re-emphasised the demand of compensation to the State for lands acquired by the Coal India limited besides bringing headquarter of PSU’s in Jharkhand.
The JMM which has been registering its presence at Dumka from past 20 years also pressed upon bringing a change in Railways policies which the party deems earns maximum revenue from mineral transportation. Significantly, the eight-page lok Dastavej talks about achieving adjustments in land Acquisition Bill passed recently by the UPA Government at the Centre.
Incidentally, nomination for the remaining four parliamentary constituencies in Jharkhand on Monday saw some big names, besides Shibu Soren, submitting their nomination at respective offices of the Returning Officers. As many as six nominations were filed on Monday for the constituencies of Rajmahal, Dumka, Godda and Dhanbad which will go to polls on April 24.
Meanwhile, the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) saw one nomination in the Santhal region of Jharkhand. The BJP’s candidate for Godda Nishikant Dubey filed nominations in the presence of leader of opposition in Jharkhand Assembly and BJP leader Arjun Munda, Raghuvar Das and Shahnawaj Hussain.
Former Panchayati Raj Minister in the Hemant Soren government, Chandrasekhar Dubey filed nomination for Dhanbad lok Sabha seat. The dismissed former Minister will contest on Trinamool Congress’ ticket after getting cold shouldered by the Congress while allotting tickets to candidates for parliamentary elections. Notably, today as many as two nominations were filed for Dumka, three for Dhanbad and one for Godda.