CM accuses Centre of targeting non-BJP govts and suppressing dissenting voices
Ranchi, March 23: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government of targetting non-BJP governments and suppressing the dissenting voice through “misuse” of institutions.
In his reply to the House on the last of the day of the budget session of the Jharkhand assembly, CM Soren hit out at the BJP and the Centre over a host of issues, including Rahul Gandhi’s conviction, centre-state relationship, misuse of agencies and inflation, besides his government’s stand over the contentious domicile and employment policy of the state.
“It is difficult to comprehend whether we are in Amritkaal (75 years of independence as being observed by the Centre) or Apatkaal (state of emergency). The country is passing through a strange period,” he said.
Soren said the two-year sentence awarded to Rahul Gandhi by a court in Surat is a matter of concern for democracy.
Soren said though he has full faith in the judiciary, he is against the decision to sentence the Congress leader in a 2019 criminal defamation case filed against him over his “Modi surname” remarks.
“Despite having full faith in the judicial system, I disagree with the decision to punish @Shri Rahul Gandhi ji in the defamation case. Non-BJP governments and leaders are being made victims of conspiracies.
This is a matter of concern for democracy and politics of the country… There is no value of democracy in front of ‘dhantantra’,” Soren tweeted.
The issue was raised in the Jharkhand Assembly, too, and it was adjourned twice amid Congress legislators creating a ruckus.
“They have put this country in the hands of a select few. When someone raises a question about it, they misuse the institutions to silence all dissenting voices. When I asked for the Rs 1.3 lakh crore outstanding dues with the Centre and they unleased CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), and ED (Enforcement Directorate) against us,” the chief minister added.
“We can have differences in principle opinion, but it does not mean we would go after each other’s life. Our country is called the ‘Mother of Democracy’, but it seems the ‘Father of Power’ is trampling it. Today if you speak against them, you would land in jail. But for how long can they do that?” Soren said.
A court in Surat on Thursday sentenced Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to two years in jail in a 2019 criminal defamation case filed against him over his ‘Modi surname’ remarks.
The court held him guilty under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections, granted him bail and suspended the sentence for 30 days to allow him to appeal in a higher court.
Clarifying his position on 1932 land survey records for job reservation, Hemant Soren said that for their party 1932 was pivotal and would continue to be in framing recruitment policies.
He also said that a new recruitment policy will also come but we are not going to give up.
Hemant Soren warned the opposition by stating, “I am a lion’s child, I have come two steps back for a long jump.”