Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], November 15 : Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) spokesperson Manoj Pandey has defended Congress Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmed Mir's controversial promise of providing LPG cylinders at Rs 450 to "infiltrators."
Pandey on Thursday said, "Mir sahab has clearly said that we will give it to everyone (LPG cylinder for Rs 450), we do not do 'jumlabaazi' (empty promises), we will give it to everyone - Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, tribals, non-tribals, Dalits."
He further said, "In the eyes of BJP, infiltrators are Muslims... Mir Sahab said that we will give it to infiltrators as well, meaning we will give it to all those Muslims who are our citizens, original residents of this place. We are committed, we will give the cylinder for Rs 450, and people also believe in our words."
A controversy erupted after Mir made the pre-poll promise of providing LPG cylinders at Rs 450 for all, including "infiltrators." Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took a swipe at the statement, warning that it posed a threat to Jharkhand's security. "Congress is announcing to give gas cylinders to intruders in Jharkhand. Congress Jharkhand state in-charge Ghulam Ahmed Mir is saying that we will give cylinders to intruders for Rs 450... These are those intruders who have come from Bangladesh to our country... I want to say that the state is in danger and you all have to save it," Chouhan said.
BJP National spokesperson CR Kesavan also condemned the promise, sharing a video on X (formerly Twitter) and accusing Congress of playing divisive politics. "Congress Leader and AICC Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmed Mir promised gas cylinder benefits to illegal immigrants. The crooked Congress will not hesitate to go to any extent and spread its dangerous, toxic politics of religious appeasement and polarisation," Kesavan posted.
In his video, Mir said, "As soon as the government is formed, from December 1, the price of a gas cylinder will be just Rs 450 for everyone, whether he is Hindu, Muslim, or an infiltrator."
The statement continues to stir political debate as Jharkhand prepares for the second phase of the assembly elections. Voting for the first phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections concluded, with voting taking place in 43 out of the state's 81 seats.
Elections on the remaining 38 seats will be conducted on November 20. The counting of the votes will take place on November 23.