In a strong rebuke against the Central government, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA Kalpana Soren accused the Centre of exploiting the state’s rich mineral resources and ignoring the plight of its indigenous communities. Speaking during the 'Maiya Samman Yatra' on Wednesday, Soren asserted that the BJP was willing to go to any lengths to seize power in the state, but they would face a tough challenge from the people.
Kalpana Soren, wife of Jharkhand’s Chief Minister Hemant Soren, lambasted the ruling BJP for using Jharkhand’s natural wealth for its own benefit. “Jharkhand’s mines and minerals are being siphoned off, and the Centre owes us a massive Rs 1.36 trillion for coal. This is nothing but resource extortion at the cost of poor tribals,” she said.
She also expressed concern about the BJP bringing in leaders from other states, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, to advance their political agenda in Jharkhand. “They think they can flood Jharkhand with external leaders, but our people won’t be misled by these tactics. We will give them a fitting reply,” Soren added defiantly.
As election season nears, Kalpana warned that BJP would resort to desperate measures to gain control of the state. "The BJP’s agenda is clear – they are here to manipulate and mislead the people with false propaganda. But the people of Jharkhand know better, and these forces will be ousted," she declared.
Kalpana also accused the BJP of hypocrisy, citing instances where they publicly celebrate icons like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, while undermining the very principles these leaders stood for. “They garland statues of Babasaheb on one hand, while on the other, they uproot the values he fought for,” she remarked.
She went on to describe how her husband, Hemant Soren, had faced false accusations and was even imprisoned as part of a conspiracy to disrupt his governance. His arrest earlier this year in connection with a land scam linked to a money laundering case resulted in significant delays in the Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojana, a scheme designed to financially assist underprivileged women in the state. Despite these challenges, Kalpana vowed that the JMM would not be intimidated.
In a fiery message to the BJP, Kalpana Soren declared that women from across Jharkhand would serve as a shield for Hemant Soren. “Bring as many leaders as you want, but our people will protect our Chief Minister. Our women will stand as his kavach (shield),” she said, urging citizens to resist any attempts by the BJP to take control.
The battle for Jharkhand is heating up, and with Kalpana Soren’s strong words, it’s clear that the JMM is ready to confront what they view as the BJP’s aggressive tactics to gain power in the state. As the elections approach, the political landscape in Jharkhand is set for a fierce contest, with resource exploitation and tribal rights being central themes in the debate.