Gumla (Jharkhand) [India], September 27 : Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan condemned the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) government's decision to withdraw security for former Chief Minister Champai Soren and questioned the importance the government places on protecting its former leaders.
"By looking at the defeat, they (JMM) have lost their mind. They withdrew the security of former CM Champai Soren. Isn't the life of the former CM important?...Champai Soren's life could be in danger. We condemn this, his safety must be ensured," he said.
Hitting out at the state government over corruption, the Union Minister said, "They (JMM) ate the money for MGNREGA, PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, and PM sent Rs 1000 crores of money so that people can get drinking water at their homes, but does any village get drinking water?"
Earlier in the day, after arriving at the Ranchi Airport, Chauhan said that snatching the security vehicles of the former Chief Minister out of irritation shows the state government's low mentality.
"My objection is that Champai Soren, who was a colleague of the Chief Minister's father, was not only insulted first, but later when he felt insulted, he left the party for Jharkhand, for the people of Jharkhand. I have never seen such a low mentality that his security vehicles were snatched away. Posts come and go. But normal courtesy should be shown. This has never happened in any state. Snatching the security vehicles of the former Chief Minister out of irritation shows their low mindset," he said.
Meanwhile, Champai Soren, who joined the BJP last month, upped his ante against the Hemant Soren-led government for allegedly withdrawing his security and said that the people of Jharkhand will protect him.
"It is up to them, now the public will protect us," he had said.
The term of the Jharkhand State Assembly is set to expire on January 5, 2025, with elections scheduled for 81 constituencies (44 General, 9 SC, 28 ST) across the state.
Jharkhand is set to go to polls for its 81-member legislative assembly later this year. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is yet to announce the dates.