'Their Existence In Danger,' Says PM Modi After Congress Jharkhand In-Charge Promises Subsidised Gas Cylinders For Infiltrators Too

Cylinder For Infiltrators Row: The BJP launched a scathing attack against the Congress on Thursday after the latter's in-charge for Jharkhand Ghulam Ahmad Mir promised that "infiltrators" too will be provided with subsidised gas cylinders if the grand old old party comes to power in the state.

"We have promised that we will provide gas cylinders at Rs 450 from December 1 if our government is formed. This will be for the common masses… whether they are Hindus, Muslims, infiltrators – it will be given to all Jharkhand citizens, no other factor will be considered," the AICC Jharkhand in-charge, who was addressing a poll rally in Chandrapura, was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Reacting to his party colleague's statement, AICC senior coordinator for Jharkhand assembly polls, BK Hariprasad, said, "Everyone who is a voter in Jharkhand is a citizen of the state and they will receive the benefits of our guarantees." He further alleged that the issue of infiltration is a ploy by the BJP to instill fear in the masses of Jharkhand.

"If the BJP has evidence of infiltrators in Jharkhand, they should present a list. By calling the people of Jharkhand infiltrators, they are insulting the very citizens of the state," Hariprasad said, according to PTI. The BJP, which is seeking to wrest power from the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance in Jharkhand, has made the issue of mass infiltration one of the central planks of its election campaign. Mir's statement handed ammo to the BJP, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself led the charge against Congress.

Addressing a public rally in poll-bound Maharashtra's Raigad, PM Modi said, "In most of the states, Congress' existence is in danger. To protect their existence and to come to power, Congress will do anything. Their (Congress) one leader is openly declaring that they will give infiltrators, Rohingyas, and Bangladeshi - gas cylinders at cheaper rates. It's the example of how they are playing with the future of your children's future for the sake of votes."

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, too, furthered the BJP's poll narrative saying, "The Congress' Ghulam Ahmad Mir said they will provide gas cylinders to infiltrators at Rs 450. It is the Congress–JMM-RJD government that is patronising infiltration in Jharkhand." The first phase of voting for the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly election was held on Wednesday (November 13) and the second phase is scheduled for November 20. 

(With inputs from agencies)