New Delhi: As the Lok Sabha campaign enters its final phase, with only 59 seats left to poll, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed a rally in Jharkhand's Dumka in support of BJP candidate Sita Soren. During the rally, PM Modi accused the INDIA bloc of protecting infiltrators in the Naxal-affected region, claiming that the influx of infiltrators has led to a decrease in the tribal population and posed a threat to the safety of the tribal women.

 

He questioned the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's (JMM) motives in shielding these infiltrators who are putting the lives of Adivasis women at risk. He said, "A big crisis looms over Jharkhand and that is infiltration. The Santhal Parganas is facing the challenge of infiltration. In many areas, the population of tribals is declining fast and the number of infiltrators is on the rise. The infiltrators are grabbing tribal lands. Tribal daughters are the target of infiltrators. Their security and safety are at risk. Their lives are also at risk."

 

Referring to two incidents that happened in 2022, PM Modi expressed his concern about the mistreatment of tribal women. He said, "Tribal daughters are being chopped into 50 pieces. Being burnt alive. Someone's tongue was pulled out. Who are these people who are targeting tribal daughters? Why is the JMM government patronising them?"

 

PM Modi also criticized the INDIA bloc for engaging in appeasement politics, alleging that they protect infiltrators and terrorists while accusing those who oppose them of promoting Hindu-Muslim division. He also called out the Congress party for prioritizing vote bank politics over the interests of Dalit and Adivasi communities, emphasizing the BJP's commitment to working for the marginalized sections of society.

 

The Prime Minister highlighted the opposition faced by President Droupadi Murmu, an Adivasi, from the INDIA bloc leaders during her election. He accused the JMM and Congress of wanting to remove him from power to facilitate their involvement in scams, claiming that these parties have looted the state and are involved in liquor and tender scams worth crores of rupees.

 

He further alleged that the state government has been diverting resources sent by the Centre to the black market, depriving the people of their rightful benefits. He reiterated his stance against the Congress's alleged plan to provide reservation to Muslims based on religion by taking away the rights of SC, ST, and OBC communities, assuring that he will not allow the reservation of these groups to be compromised.

 

The Dumka constituency is set to witness an interesting contest between Sita Soren, Shibu Soren's daughter-in-law who recently joined the BJP, and JMM veteran Nalin Soren, a six-time MLA. The seat has traditionally been a JMM stronghold, with party patriarch Shibu Soren winning it eight times in the past.