Ranchi: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president and Leader of Opposition, Babulal Marandi, of resorting to cheap publicity stunts by alleging threats to his life and attempts by the government to implicate him in false cases.
JMM General Secretary and Spokesperson Vinod Kumar Pandey dismissed Marandi’s claims as baseless and politically motivated. Calling the allegations “absurd,” he said they were nothing more than a ploy to gain attention.
“Mr. Babulal Marandi, who has served as the first Chief Minister of Jharkhand and now holds the position of Leader of Opposition, should uphold the dignity of his post. Such unfounded and shallow statements only show his discomfort with the growing popularity of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his pro-people policies,” said Pandey.
He alleged that Marandi’s actions are obstructing the progress of Jharkhand. “Whenever the government takes strict action against corruption, Mr. Marandi appears perturbed and starts questioning the Anti-Corruption Bureau. He must explain why a constitutional position-holder is pressuring an independent investigating agency,” Pandey said.
Pandey also criticised Marandi for opposing welfare projects like the proposed RIMS-2 hospital in Ranchi. “The BJP’s resistance to such initiatives is not the role of a constructive opposition. The people of Jharkhand want development, not political disruption,” he added.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency, Pandey highlighted the reforms in recruitment processes like JSSC and JPSC, and steps taken to prevent misuse of schemes in rural areas.
“Mr. Marandi’s allegations are not only laughable but a deliberate distraction from real issues. The JMM urges the BJP and Mr. Marandi to act as a responsible opposition and contribute to the state’s development,” Pandey stated.
He called on the BJP to support important state interests like the demand for Sarna religious code recognition, recovery of ₹1.40 lakh crore in coal royalty dues from the central government, and the pending proposal to increase reservation quotas.