In Jharkhand, Neither NRC Nor UCC Will Be Implemented; Only CNT and SPT Will Remain: Hemant Soren

Garhwa (Jharkhand): Chief Minister Hemant Soren addressed an election rally in Garhwa on Sunday, announcing that neither the NRC (National Register of Citizens) nor the UCC (Uniform Civil Code) will be implemented in Jharkhand. He stated that only the CNT (Chotanagpur Tenancy Act) and SPT (Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act) laws will remain in place. He accused certain groups of attempting to divide families and spread a “poisonous narrative,” warning people to stay vigilant. Soren emphasized that his government has faced numerous challenges in the past five years, which the people of Jharkhand have witnessed.

He urged voters to support the JMM candidate Mithilesh Kumar Thakur and criticized the BJP, alleging that they aim to displace the sons of the soil—indigenous and local residents. Soren recalled that his government had been targeted with false accusations shortly after it began working for the people, and that he himself was even jailed. He claimed that the BJP is interested in Jharkhand’s mineral resources rather than its people and accused them of withholding ₹1.36 lakh crore owed to Jharkhand for its mineral wealth.

Soren also highlighted initiatives for women’s welfare, promising to provide economic support to mothers and sisters in the state. He assured that in the coming five years, his government would strive to bring ₹1 lakh to every household. His government has already enacted laws to increase welfare payments, pledging that the monthly payment of ₹1,000 would rise to ₹2,500. He warned voters that if given the chance, the BJP would “drain” people of their resources.

Referring to recruitment examinations, Soren rebuffed the BJP’s call for a CBI investigation into appointments made through the JPSC and CGL exams, stating that an investigation had already identified those responsible for irregularities. He promised that those involved would be jailed once the election was over.

Soren criticized the previous early election call, noting that his term had been shortened by a month, with elections called early to prevent further work from being completed, fearing it would further embarrass the BJP.

The Chief Minister took a jibe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s claims to eliminate Naxalism, pointing out that the fact that the election was being held in just two phases showed that Naxalism in Jharkhand had been substantially diminished.

Soren also challenged claims about Bangladeshi infiltration, questioning the central government’s stance, especially as India supplies electricity to Bangladesh and recently allowed the former Bangladeshi prime minister’s plane to land. He questioned why, if the central government was concerned about infiltration, they hadn’t addressed it at the borders, which are a federal responsibility.

He highlighted his government’s inclusive welfare schemes, such as the Maiya Samman Yojana, which are for everyone, regardless of religion. He mentioned Jharkhand’s commitment to providing pension support as a “staff of old age” for employees, contrasting it with the BJP, which he accused of taking away such support.