Ahead of the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched its ‘Mila Kya’ campaign, aimed at holding the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) government, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, accountable for its unfulfilled promises. The campaign questions the effectiveness of Soren’s administration, challenging voters to critically assess whether key commitments have been met.
Key Promises Questioned by BJP:
The BJP has focused on several promises made by the JMM during its term that remain unfulfilled, creating a narrative of underperformance:
Youth Employment: Soren’s administration had pledged to create one lakh jobs for young people in its first year. However, the BJP claims that this promise has not been delivered, with many young Jharkhand residents still unemployed.
Free Education and Healthcare: The JMM promised universal access to free education and healthcare. According to the BJP, the schemes introduced have been insufficient, failing to cover the broader population effectively.
Farm Loan Waiver: Another major election promise was to waive farm loans up to ₹2 lakh. The BJP argues that the actual relief provided amounted to only ₹50,000, falling short of the original promise and disappointing the agricultural community.
Additional Criticisms:
Land Law Amendments: Tribal land rights remain a sensitive issue in Jharkhand, and the BJP accuses the JMM of indecisiveness over land law reforms, which has created uncertainty for tribal welfare and economic development.
Partial Liquor Ban: Soren’s government had promised a state-wide liquor ban, but the BJP claims that the measure has only been partially implemented, leaving another promise unfulfilled.
Corruption Scandals: Despite the JMM’s vow to eliminate corruption, the BJP alleges that the administration has been embroiled in scandals, eroding public trust.
Starvation Deaths Inquiry: A CBI inquiry into starvation deaths was a key pledge of the JMM. The BJP contends that there has been little progress on this front, with the issue remaining unresolved.
BJP’s Strategy for 2024:
By highlighting these governance gaps, the BJP is positioning itself as the alternative to the JMM in the upcoming elections. The ‘Mila Kya’ campaign focuses on crucial issues like employment, economic development, and corruption, setting the stage for a heated political battle in Jharkhand.
