Ghulam Ahmed Mir Sparks Controversy with Remarks on Gas Cylinders for All Jharkhand Citizens

AICC General Secretary and Jharkhand in-charge, Ghulam Ahmed Mir, sparked controversy on Thursday (14 November) during an election rally by stating that if the party comes to power, all citizens of the state will be provided gas cylinders at Rs 450, whether they are "infiltrators or not."

Addressing an election rally in the Chandrapura area of the Bermo constituency, Ghulam Ahmed Mir said, "We have promised that if our government is formed, we will provide gas cylinders at Rs 450 from December 1. This will be for the general public... be they Hindu, Muslim, or infiltrators - it will be given to all citizens of Jharkhand, with no other factors considered."

BJP lashes out at Congress over its promise! The BJP has reacted strongly to Congress's promise, claiming that such a statement is "anti-national" and reflective of Congress' appeasement and polarisation politics. This comment has surfaced at a time when BJP leaders are accusing the JMM-led coalition of protecting infiltrators in the state for "vote bank politics."

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "Congress's Ghulam Ahmed Mir has said they will provide gas cylinders to infiltrators for Rs 450. It is the Congress-JMM-RJD government that is protecting infiltrators in Jharkhand."

Addressing an election rally in the Birni area of Giridih district, he alleged that lakhs of infiltrators have entered Jharkhand and that the government has helped them obtain voter and ration cards.

At another rally in Bokaro, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "The Congress in-charge has promised to give cylinders to Hindus, Muslims, and infiltrators. BJP will not allow infiltrators to take over the rights of tribals."

The second phase of voting will take place on November 20. The first phase was held on Wednesday, and vote counting will take place on November 23.