'Will protect tribal identity, women and land': Amit Shah vows to drive out 'infiltrators' during BJP's manifesto release for Jharkhand elections

During the release of the BJP's Sankalp Patra (election manifesto) in Jharkhand's capital Ranchi, Home Minister Amit Shah promised that if the BJP comes to power in the state, it will enact legislation to reclaim land allegedly grabbed by "infiltrators."

"This election in Jharkhand is not just an election to change the government, but an election to ensure the future of Jharkhand. The people of Jharkhand have to decide whether they want a government full of corruption or a BJP government moving forward on the path of development under the leadership of PM Modi. Do they want a government that endangers the identity, land and women of Jharkhand by allowing infiltration or do they want a Bharatiya Janata Party government that protects the borders," Amit Shah was quoted as saying by ANI

Shah criticized the current JMM-led government, accusing it of engaging in "appeasement politics." He noted that while the High Court had issued orders to identify and deport infiltrators, the Hemant Soren government failed to act on them.

"The number of tribals in Santhal Pargana is continuously decreasing. Infiltrators are coming here and luring our daughters and marrying them and occupying the land. If this is not stopped, then neither the culture of Jharkhand, nor the employment, land, or daughters here will be safe. That is why the BJP is moving ahead with the slogan of securing ‘Roti, Beti, Maati,’" Shah said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah alleged that tribal communities in Jharkhand have been left vulnerable under Chief Minister Hemant Soren's leadership.

He accused the JMM-led alliance of allowing infiltrators onto tribal lands, compromising their safety and security.

"BJP government is being formed in Jharkhand and we will drive out these infiltrators. We will bring the law and return the land taken away from women. Hemant Soren, you have failed to provide security to the women of Jharkhand," he said.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Sanjay Seth, along with BJP Jharkhand president Babulal Marandi, attended the manifesto launch event.

The elections for Jharkhand’s 81 Assembly seats are set to take place in two phases, on November 13 and November 20, with vote counting scheduled for November 23.

Shah further claimed that Jharkhand’s government under Soren is the "most corrupt" in India, citing the Rs 350 crore found at Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu’s residence and cash recovered from properties linked to the personal assistant of Congress leader Alamgir Alam.