Mail News Service
Ranchi, April 18: BJP Spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo strongly criticized Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s foreign tour, calling it a ‘camera exposure trip’ and an unnecessary expenditure of taxpayers’ money.
Addressing a press conference in Ranchi on Friday, Shahdeo alleged that the CM’s visit to Spain and Sweden appeared to be more of a tourism exercise than a purposeful official tour. “Jharkhand is primarily an agricultural state. Unless the trip has a clear industrial agenda, this kind of spending is unjustified,” he said.
He questioned the relevance of such a tour at a time when Europe was itself grappling with recession and rising unemployment. “Europe is focusing on green technology and is dealing with serious economic challenges. Over 12,000 industries were shut down in the US due to tariffs. What exactly does the CM aim to learn from this?” Shahdeo asked.
He also sarcastically suggested that instead of sightseeing in Europe, the CM should visit Stockholm, where the infamous Bofors arms deal scandal originated—linking it to past allegations of corruption.
Concluding his remarks, Shahdeo said the tour lacked direction and failed to benefit the people of Jharkhand, calling on the government to be more accountable in its use of public funds.
