Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the fight today to ruling JMM's bastion in Santhal Parganas in Jharkhand, which is going to the polls in the fifth and last phase on December 20, and asked tribals to throw "looters" out of power.
"Throw out the looters by giving BJP a two-third majority ... Vote for stability in Jharkhand and its development," Modi told an election rally here.
Addressing poll rallies here and at Barheit, the two seats from where Chief Minister Hemant Soren is contesting this time, he said the state has the potential to fill up the coffers of the country but was being looted.
Taking a swipe at JMM Chief Shibu Soren and his son Hemant Soren without taking their names, Modi said, "The father and son filled their own coffers and did nothing for the poor."
Modi said just as a mother does not give sweets to her son if he commits a wrong deed so should the people punish the "looters" in the final phase of voting.
"Shouldn't the youth here get employment so that they don't have to go thousands of miles away for job?"
Asking the people not to believe in rumours that they would lose land if BJP is voted to power, he said, "No one can snatch tribal land ... Welfare of tribals can only strengthen the country."
Referring to allegations by political parties that if it wins BJP would change Chhota Nagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act, he said, "They are lying and spreading rumours ... They don't have any issues against the Modi government."
JMM had won 10 out of the total 18 seats in Santhal Parganas in the 2009 assembly elections.
Polling for the remaining 16 seats in Jharkhand will be held in the fifth and final phase on December 20. Counting will be taken up on December 23 for the 81-member Assembly.
