Modi seeks a strong BJP govt in Jharkhand

IANS/Ranchi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday appealed to the people to vote for a “strong and stable” Bharatiya Janata Party government in Jharkhand, and promised an action-oriented and pro-poor governance in return.

Addressing a BJP election rally in the coal city of Dhanbad, Modi said he has confidence in the electorate that it will give its full mandate to his party, helping it replicate its victory of May 2014.

“Mujhe vishwas hai ki aap BJP ko poorn bahumat dilane wale ho (I have faith in you, the voters, that you will ensure full majority for the BJP),” he said, ahead of the fourth phase of the state assembly polls on December 14.

The prime minister said the BJP would ensure good work in the state if it came to power in Jharkhand.

Fifteen constituencies in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly go to polls on December 14 in the fourth phase of voting.

Thanks to the “love I am getting from Jharkhand, I am now confident that you have decided to form the BJP government in the state. I thank you in advance for giving such support to me,” said Modi.

“It was Jharkhand’s overwhelming support that a stable and strong government was formed after 30 years at the Centre. I appeal to you to vote for a stable and strong government led by BJP in the state.”

He said: “People can ask a report card of a stable and strong government...”

Modi said his government is committed to improving the situation of the eastern part of the country.

He said though the eastern Indian states have natural resources, “the economic development did not take place in these areas. I have to...improve the situation of the eastern states.”

The prime minister also took a dig at the Congress slogan to remove poverty.

“While nationalising banks 40 years ago, (they) had argued for the poor but no poor people went to the banks. My government is dedicated to the development of the poor and more than 7 crore accounts have been opened under Jan Dhan Yona.”

Without naming Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi, Modi said: “My opponent parties’ leaders are campaigning in Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir to remain in headlines. They are reading the same speech which they were reading during the Lok Sabha polls. People have rejected them but they are not learning any lesson.”

He thanked the people of Jharkhand as well as Jammu and Kashmir for the high voter turn-out.

“After 1983, a big political rally took place in Srinagar yesterday (Monday). People of J&K are now not scared of AK-47 and are turning in large numbers to cast votes.”

Yesterday, braving the winter cold, people turned up in good numbers to cast their ballots in the third of the five-phase elections in Jharkhand. Around 61% turnout was recorded when voting ended at 5pm for three seats - Ranchi, Hatia and Kanke. Balloting ended at 3pm.in 14 constituencies.

Long queues of voters, including first-timers, were seen at the polling booths. The voter turnout in urban areas was good.

Balloting began yesterday at 7am in 17 of the 81 assembly constituencies. The fate of 289 candidates was sealed in the third phase.