Shivraj Singh Chouhan: NRC Essential to Protect Jharkhand’s ‘Roti, Mati, Beti’

As political tensions escalate in poll-bound Jharkhand, Union Minister and BJP in-charge for the state, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, announced on Monday that the party plans to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Jharkhand. He criticized the Chief Minister Hemant Soren-led government for allegedly favoring infiltrators.

Speaking to ANI, Chouhan stated, “BJP is preparing to release its election manifesto. This election is not just about appointing a Chief Minister or gaining power; it’s about safeguarding Jharkhand. We are committed to protecting ‘Roti, Mati, aur Beti.’ The influx of infiltrators from Bangladesh is rapidly altering the region’s demographics. The tribal population in the Santhal region has plummeted from over 44 percent to just 28 percent, severely impacting the local community.”

Chouhan further accused Chief Minister Hemant Soren of supporting these infiltrators for vote bank politics. “We will implement the NRC in Jharkhand, where local residents will be registered, and intruders will be identified and expelled,” he added.

On October 5, the BJP introduced its ‘Paanch Prana’ initiative, aimed at youth and women in Jharkhand, as part of their election manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections. The five promises made by the party include the Yuva Sathi, Gogo Didi Yojana, Ghar Saakar, Laxmi Johar, and ‘Assured Employment’ schemes.

The Gogo Didi Yojana will provide women with monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,100. Under the assured employment promise, the BJP has committed to creating 500,000 jobs for youth within five years. The Ghar Saakar initiative aims to ensure housing for all.

Additionally, the Yuva Sathi scheme will offer Rs 2,000 in financial support to youth preparing for competitive exams, while graduate and postgraduate students will also receive the same amount. The party plans to fill more than 200,000 vacant positions in the state, with recruitment processes commencing in the first cabinet meeting. By 2025, the government aims to complete the hiring of 100,000 new government employees.

Under the Laxmi Johar scheme, all families in the state will receive Rs 500 for gas cylinders, with two gas cylinders provided free each year, particularly during festivals.

Jharkhand is expected to hold elections for its 81-member legislative assembly by December 2024, as the current government’s tenure concludes in January 2025. The Election Commission has yet to announce the election schedule.

In the previous assembly elections in 2020, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha secured 30 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party won 25 and the Congress took 16 seats.