The political landscape in Jharkhand has been charged with controversy after Congress leader and Jammu and Kashmir MLA Ghulam Ahmad Mir promised subsidised LPG cylinders for all residents, including those he referred to as “infiltrators.”
His remarks have sparked criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders accusing the Congress-led INDIA bloc of undermining national security for political gains.
Addressing a rally in Chandrapura, Mir assured voters that the Congress, if elected to power in Jharkhand, would reduce the price of gas cylinders to ₹450. This benefit, he stated, would be extended to everyone, irrespective of religion or status, including “Hindus, Muslims, infiltrators, or anyone else.” His statement was aimed at addressing rising concerns over inflation but has since drawn sharp criticism for its inclusion of "infiltrators."
Prime Minister Modi strongly condemned the remarks, suggesting they reflect a dangerous strategy by the opposition. Modi accused Congress of prioritising vote bank politics over national interests, claiming, “They are playing with the future of your children for the sake of votes.
Should such a party, which promises benefits to infiltrators, be trusted?” Modi’s remarks underscore the BJP’s focus on border security and opposition to illegal immigration.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah joined the critique, blaming the JMM-led coalition government in Jharkhand for encouraging infiltration. He reiterated the BJP’s commitment to introducing an anti-infiltration law to address what he described as a severe threat to national security. Shah further criticised Chief Minister Hemant Soren for allegedly enabling illegal immigrants to settle in the state under the guise of welfare policies.
Echoing similar sentiments, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused the Congress-JMM-RJD alliance of granting voter and ration cards to thousands of infiltrators, thereby compromising the state’s demographic balance.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also lent his voice to the BJP’s campaign, vowing to put an end to such practices if the party is elected to power in Jharkhand.
The BJP’s criticism extends beyond this controversy. It has consistently portrayed the Congress-led opposition as being lenient on matters of national security, often linking such policies to the broader narrative of “vote bank politics.” The infiltration issue has taken centre stage in the Jharkhand elections, with the BJP leveraging it to appeal to its core voter base.
For the Congress, Mir’s comments add to the challenges in a state where the party has struggled to counter BJP’s narrative on national security and governance. While the promise of cheaper gas cylinders might resonate with economically stressed voters, the backlash over the inclusion of “infiltrators” in the proposed policy has diverted attention from its intended purpose.
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