"Who is at border, Jharkhand police or SSB?": Jharkhand Minister Mithilesh Kumar slams Centre on 'Bangladesh infiltration'

Oct 31, 2024

Garhwa (Jharkhand) [India], October 31 : Jharkhand Minister and JMM candidate from Garhwa Assembly constituency Mithilesh Kumar slammed the BJP for blaming his party for the "Bangladeshi infiltrators". He pointed out that securing the border is the responsibility of the Centre not that of the state government.
He added that if the Centre can't stop infiltration, it should hand over the responsibility to the Jharkhand government.
His response came as the BJP has been continuously accusing the JMM and their alliance of Bangladeshi infiltration.
" I Don't know where BJP's political understanding has gone. Is Jharkhand police posted on the country's borders? Border Security Forces are stationed there, under the central government and the Ministry of Defense," Mithilesh Kumar told ANI.
"If the central government says it's incapable of stopping it, they should hand over the responsibility to the Jharkhand government and we will completely control it," he added.
In response to the BJP's accusation of nepotism, Mithilesh Kumar said, "Their leaders like Champai Soren, whose son is also contesting, are part of such family politics. Many of their allies, like AJSU, have similar examples They have no issues, so they try to focus on this. We have always said that it is natural for family members to be involved in their family profession. If a lawyer's son can become a lawyer, a doctor's son become a doctor so why can't a politician's child enter politics."
While speaking on the upcoming program of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Garhwa, he said, "The people have realized what the Prime Minister will say They might go to see him and I might too as he is our Prime Minister. But people know there will be no talk of development or rights. He will only talk about Hindu-Muslim issues and people will return disappointed. We welcome the Prime Minister to Garhwa but I know he will not succeed in the purpose of his visit."
Responding to Central agency's raids on him, he said misuse of agencies has become now the reality of our democracy
"The misuse of these agencies has become the reality of our democracy People, especially the youth and voters should understand how central agencies are misused around elections. These agencies should work with transparency, not under pressure," he said.
"We are always ready to cooperate fully if there is a fair investigation People understand that central agencies work under pressure," he added
On the question of getting support from his constituency, he said, "We don't focus on who is in front of us. We are in front of the people and they are in front of us. The public evaluates us and now people are no longer easily deceived by their( BJP ) attempts. Now people are not going to be misled by caste religion or temple-mosque issues. People want their rights, development, and basic needs like food, clothing, and housing"
"Until 2019, I would say that the people of Garhwa were completely deprived of all such basic facilities. There was no consistent electricity. Now we are providing 22 to 24 hours of power. Earlier people used to migrate to relatives' homes in the summer. Now they dont have to. There was no women's college here untill we built one. we will win," he added.
The election for the 81 seats in Jharkhand will be held in two phases on 13 November and on 20 November. The counting will be held on 23 November.