'This election will decide Jharkhand's future'

RANCHI: Senior BJP office-bearers and ministers addressed separate rallies in Jharkhand ahead of the second phase of the assembly election on December 7. While BJP executive president J P Nadda addressed a large gathering in Mandar (ST) constituency, about 40km from Ranchi, Union minister Nitin Gadkari attended an election meeting at Dakra in Kanke constituency in the state capital.The two echoed each other as they wooed voters by terming this election as the one which will "decide the fate of the state".
Nadda began his address by hailing tribal legends like Birsa Munda and Vir Budhu Bhagat. He hailed the tribals for "protecting the integrity and culture, traditions of the country since the days of Ramayan." Nadda said: "Despite the cold weather, you have gathered here in such large numbers and this gives me confidence that you have already decided to support BJP and we will win by a huge margin. But you should remember that this election is not just for electing a chief minister, MLAs or ministers. This election will be one that changes the fate and decides the future of Jharkhand."
He added: "On December 7, don't just vote for the local candidate or Raghubar Das, but for BJP because this is the only party that will give you a stable, development-oriented and corruption-free government. Before 2014, the governments never lasted their full term and CMs were changing every now and then. In 2014, you gave the mandate to BJP and you got a stable government which served you well and ensured all-round development. In Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, you gave 12 of the 14 seats to BJP and its ally. This strength has given us the ability to change everything for the well-being of the nation."
Making a reference to the Ayodhya land issue and revocation of Article 370, Nadda said: "Under Modi ji's leadership, the nation has metamorphosed and has given fitting replies to Pakistan's cross-border terrorism through surgical and air strikes. Likewise, BJP has curbed naxalism in Jharkhand. Give us another chance and naxalism will be rooted out completely."
Nadda added: "The double engines of centre and state governments has changed the face of Jharkhand. If the Modi government gave financial assistance to farmers, the Raghubar government extended additional financial benefits through the Mukhyamantri Kisan Ashirwad Yojna. Under the Ujjwala Yojna, Modi government gave one LPG cylinder and gas burners to 30 lakh families, the state government gave an additional gas cylinder to the beneficiaries here. Don't support the mahagathbandan, which is a group of self-serving parties that have never worked for people's welfare. Choose BJP because we are committed to serving the poor and looking after your interests."
In Kanke, Gadkari began his speech by apologising to the public for being late. He said, "I reached the Ranchi airport at 11.30am, but owing to unavailability of helicopter, I got delayed. Thank you for waiting for me." Gadkari said Congress is hungry for power, anti-people and failed to ensure development of the state and the nation. He said: "Congress ruled for 55-60 years and since then first Nehru, then Indira Gandhi and now Sonia Gandhi promised to eradicate poverty, but they never kept their promises. It was only in the last five years of BJP rule in the Centre and the state that the people have seen real development." Gadkari said: "Dynastic politics of Congress and JMM has done the state and country much damage. But, BJP has broken this evil tradition and instead has opted for candidates like Samri Lal who used to work in a post-mortem house and then as a cleaning staff. BJP is dedicated to further the state and nation's interests." He added: "In the last 5 years the Raghubar Das government has given houses, new roads, better health services, employment, mining industries, and a corruption free government. Don't take this election lightly, this will give financial stability, employment and speed up development and Jharkhand will soon stand among developed states. This is the dream of Raghubar, Modi and BJP."