"People of BJP should consider even one open seat as an achievement": JMM leader Manoj Pandey

Ranchi: Ahead of Jharkhand elections, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Manoj Pandey said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should consider them even sitting for the elections as a big achievement considering the fact that the people of Jharkhand had already made up their mind of forming Abua's government in the state.
Speaking to ANI, Pandey said "If the account is opened on one seat, then the people of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should consider it as an achievement. The people have already made their mind that Abua's government will be formed in Jharkhand. Santhal has been a land of movement. The situation today and the atmosphere indicate that Santhal will be one-sided."
The JMM leader said that Santhals would drive the infiltrators (government) coming from outside.
"These big infiltrators who are coming from outside, sitting in big airplanes and helicopters, the Santhal will do the work of driving them all out. The BJP government won't have even one vote," he further added.
Earlier on Friday, the Union Minister and BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan lashed out at JMM over the welfare of the tribals and stated that the tribal population in Santhal has decreased from 44 per cent to 28 per cent. He added that the tribal society has become a minority in Pakur.
"JMM, which talks about the welfare of tribals, what is it doing? We all know what happened with Rubika Pahadiya and Ankita Singh. The people of Jharkhand should realise that this is not an ordinary election. BJP-NDA is committed to saving 'Maati, Beti and roti of Jharkhand'. Today, the tribal population in Santhal has decreased from 44 per cent to 28 per cent. Tribal society has become a minority in Pakur. Even today if we don't stand with the people of Santhal then the future will be dangerous. Where did the tribals go from there?" said Shivraj Singh Chouhan while addressing a public meeting in Jharkhand's Deoghar.
The controversy began after Ghulam Ahmad Mir, during a campaign, promised that LPG cylinders would be made available at a subsidized rate of Rs 450 for all, including "infiltrators." The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which is in alliance with Congress, defended the statement.
The controversy has sparked a political debate ahead of the second phase of Jharkhand's assembly elections, where voting will take place on November 20. The first phase of voting concluded on November 14 for 43 of the state's 81 seats. The election results will be counted on November 23.