JMM's manifesto is bundle of lies: Jharkhand BJP president Babu Lal Marandi

Babulal Marandi said, "No one trusts their manifesto. They did not fulfil the promises made in the previous manifesto, so how will anyone trust them? Their manifesto is a bundle of lies."

Reacting to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha candidate for the Assembly polls, Kalpana Soren being denied permission to land her helicopter for election campaign in Jagannathpur, Torpa and Latehar he said that even BJP leaders have to face such situation several times.

He further said, "Clearance was not given. Even we are not given clearance on many occasions if there is any problem. Yesterday even our leader could not go there and meeting was scheduled as Air Force was conducting a practice session. Our leaders had programme at Ghatshila and Baharagora. Mithun Chakraborty had event at Baharagora which was cancelled."

JMM on Monday released its manifesto for the upcoming state assembly polls.The party has focused on nine points including agriculture, education and women empowerment. It has promised 33 per cent reservation for women in government jobs.

The manifesto also assured to provide loans of up to Rs 5 crore to MSME entrepreneurs under the Credit Guarantee Scheme. It promised to waive loans of small and medium-level traders.

Earlier in the day, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Manoj Pandey on Tuesday criticised the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) recent raids in Jharkhand and West Bengal, which are part of an investigation into money laundering linked to suspected Bangladeshi infiltration. Pandey accused the central agencies of targeting opposition states ahead of elections.

Pandey said, "You do such exercises before the elections and try to set a narrative. Whatever exercise the central agencies have done till now, nothing has happened, they have not found anything, nor have they been able to establish anything. But the central agencies have to bow down to the pressure of the central government and such acts are seen... BJP is losing badly once again. This truth needs to be accepted..."

ED conducted raids across more than a dozen locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal. The raids are part of an ongoing investigation into money laundering activities connected to alleged Bangladeshi infiltration. The ED is examining several individuals and organizations suspected of involvement in alleged illegal financial dealings tied to cross-border activities.

The first phase of elections in Jharkhand is scheduled to take place on Wednesday and the second phase is scheduled for November 20. The votes will be counted on November 23. In the previous assembly election, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha won 30 seats, the BJP won 25 and Congress won 16 seats. (ANI)