Ranchi, October 8, 2024: Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and BJP President Babulal Marandi has intensified his attack on the state’s ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) party, specifically targeting its executive president and current Chief Minister, Hemant Soren.
Babulal Marandi, while filling out a form under the state’s ‘Gogo Didi’ scheme, demanded that an FIR be filed against Soren, accusing him of failing to fulfill key promises made during the 2019 election campaign.
Speaking at a public event, Marandi criticized Soren’s governance, asserting that the Chief Minister’s 2019 promises of financial support to women and youth have remained unfulfilled.
This political move comes ahead of the 2024 state elections, reflecting the mounting tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the JMM, with women empowerment now at the center of the debate.
The ‘Gogo Didi’ Scheme: Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship
The ‘Gogo Didi’ scheme, a government initiative aimed at empowering women in Jharkhand, encourages entrepreneurship among women by providing them with resources to establish small-scale businesses.
The program focuses on creating self-sufficient women entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas, through training and financial assistance.
Introduced by the Hemant Soren-led government, the ‘Gogo Didi’ scheme was initially heralded as a step forward in addressing gender disparity and economic challenges faced by women.
Through the scheme, women are encouraged to become self-reliant by running local businesses and cooperatives. The initiative also seeks to bolster the state’s grassroots economy and reduce dependency on state-run welfare programs.
However, according to Marandi, the promises of substantial financial support have not materialized.
His decision to publicly fill out the ‘Gogo Didi’ form was a symbolic gesture meant to highlight the shortcomings of the scheme and criticize Soren for not delivering on his election pledges.
Babulal Marandi’s Criticisms and Call for Action
Babulal Marandi’s criticisms of Hemant Soren have grown louder in recent months, with the BJP leader accusing the JMM government of underperformance and betrayal of public trust. At the event, Marandi recounted several key promises made by Hemant Soren during the 2019 election campaign. Chief among these promises were:
Marandi asserted that none of these promises have been fulfilled, leaving large sections of the population, especially women and marginalized groups, without the expected financial relief. “Hemant Soren has failed to keep his word. The people of Jharkhand, particularly the women who placed their trust in him, have been betrayed. An FIR should first be filed against him for breach of promises,” Marandi declared.
The former Chief Minister also emphasized the broader failure of the JMM government to address critical issues such as unemployment, corruption and economic development.
“This is not just about the ‘Gogo Didi’ scheme. It’s about the countless promises that were made and broken,” he said, hinting at further legal and political actions his party might take.
The Political Landscape in Jharkhand: BJP vs. JMM
Jharkhand’s political landscape has seen its share of dramatic shifts in recent years. Hemant Soren’s JMM, in alliance with Congress, won the 2019 state elections, defeating the BJP by focusing on tribal welfare, rural development and economic empowerment.
His campaign was built on promises that resonated with voters, especially women, youth, and the economically disadvantaged.
However, since taking office, Soren has faced growing criticism from the opposition. Babulal Marandi has positioned himself as one of the most vocal critics of the JMM government.
As the 2024 state elections approach, Marandi’s BJP is expected to intensify its attacks on the ruling party, with the theme of unmet promises likely becoming a focal point of their campaign.
The BJP’s strategy, particularly in the context of women empowerment and economic development, seems to be aimed at discrediting Soren’s governance and positioning itself as a viable alternative.
By accusing Soren of failing to deliver on promises like the ₹72,000 annual financial aid and monthly household expenses, Marandi is tapping into the discontent brewing among the electorate.
Hemant Soren and JMM’s Response
At the time of publication, there has been no official response from Hemant Soren or the JMM regarding Babulal Marandi’s latest remarks. However, the JMM has previously dismissed similar criticisms as baseless political attacks designed to discredit their government.
Political analysts believe that Soren’s government will likely counter Marandi’s claims by highlighting the achievements of the ‘Gogo Didi’ scheme and other initiatives aimed at improving rural infrastructure and women’s livelihoods. JMM leaders have, in the past, pointed to external challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn as factors that have hindered the implementation of certain programs.
Nevertheless, the accusations of unmet promises and corruption continue to dog the Soren administration, especially as the BJP ramps up its offensive ahead of the 2024 elections.
Women Empowerment and BJP’s Initiatives
Babulal Marandi’s emphasis on women empowerment is part of a broader BJP narrative focused on social and economic reform. The party has, over the years, launched various initiatives aimed at improving the status of women, both at the state and national levels.
Notable programs include the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign, which aims to address gender imbalances in education and health, and the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which provides free LPG connections to women in rural households.
Marandi has consistently highlighted the importance of empowering women economically, particularly in Jharkhand’s rural areas, where women often bear the brunt of economic hardship.
By drawing attention to Soren’s alleged failure to deliver on his promises, Marandi is seeking to align the BJP’s narrative with the aspirations of women voters ahead of the state elections.
Comparing the BJP’s initiatives with the JMM’s unfulfilled promises, Marandi is positioning his party as more reliable in addressing women’s issues.
This battle for the women vote is expected to be crucial in the upcoming elections, and both parties will be vying for the trust of female voters across Jharkhand.
Conclusion
Babulal Marandi’s public criticism of Hemant Soren’s governance, particularly regarding the unfulfilled promises of the ‘Gogo Didi’ scheme, marks the latest escalation in the political battle between the BJP and JMM.
By calling for an FIR against Hemant Soren, Babulal Marandi is signaling that his party will continue to hold the ruling government accountable as the state heads toward the 2024 elections.
As Jharkhand’s political landscape continues to evolve, the debate over women empowerment and economic support programs will likely remain at the forefront.
For now, the people of Jharkhand, especially the women who were promised financial aid, await a response from Hemant Soren and his party on whether those promises will ever be fulfilled.
