Congress’s ‘cylinders for infiltrators’ promise in Jharkhand gives new ammunition to BJP – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Congress’s recent election promise to provide subsidized LPG cylinders for everyone – Hindus, Muslims, infiltrators – in Jharkhand has given new ammunition to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has focused its election campaign on the issue of Bengali infiltration to challenge Hemant Soren’s JMM and the grand old party to fall.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday led the attack on the Congress over the promise of LPG cylinders in Jharkhand.
Ghulam Ahmad Mir, AICC general secretary in charge of Jharkhand, sparked a row when he promised gas cylinders worth Rs 450 to all residents of Jharkhand, whether they are infiltrators or not. His promise drew a sharp reaction from the BJP, which called the statement ‘anti-national’.
Addressing the Congress at an election rally in Panvel in Maharashtra, Prime Minister Modi said, “While they (Congress) are questioning us about providing free ration to the poor, one of the Congress ministers has announced to give free cylinders to Hindus , Muslims and also infiltrators.”
In an indirect reference to Mir’s election promise, Prime Minister Modi said: “They are openly announcing to give free cylinders to Rohingyas and Bangladeshis. It is a good example of how they are playing games with the country and the future of your children to get votes. .”
“Therefore, we must keep in mind that Congress has pioneered vote bank politics and they are also enemies of the poor. It is therefore the responsibility of the poor to stop the Congress,” PM Modi added.

Earlier in the day, Congress’ Mir promised LPG cylinders for Rs 450 to all people in Jharkhand, be they Hindus, Muslims or infiltrators.
“We have promised that we will supply gas cylinders worth Rs 450 from December 1 if our government is formed. This will be for the common masses… be it Hindus, Muslims or infiltrators – it will be given to all Jharkhand citizens, no other factor will be taken into consideration,” Mir said during a poll in Bermo constituency meeting in Jharkhand.
The comment came at a time when the BJP leadership raised concerns over alleged infiltration support by the JMM-led coalition for electoral gains in Jharkhand.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “Ghulam Ahmad Mir of Congress said they will supply gas cylinders to infiltrators for Rs 450. It is the Congress-JMM-RJD government which is patronizing infiltration in Jharkhand.”
Addressing an election rally at Birni in Giridih district, he alleged that scores of infiltrators entered Jharkhand with the government facilitating their access to voter and ration cards.
At a separate event in Bokaro, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “The Congress in charge has promised to give cylinders to Hindus, Muslims and infiltrators. The BJP will not allow tribal rights to be handed over to infiltrators. “
The upcoming second phase of elections is scheduled for November 20. While the first phase will conclude on Wednesday, the counting of votes will take place on November 23. Maharashtra will also vote in a single phase on November 20.