Congress Rejects Marandi’s Sand Mining Allegations, Calls Them Politically Motivated

Ranchi: Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee chief spokesperson Lal Kishore Nath Shahdeo on Thursday strongly dismissed the allegations made by BJP state president Babulal Marandi, terming them a result of political frustration. He said Marandi was making baseless accusations against Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the alliance government in a bid to revive his declining political relevance.

Reacting to Marandi’s comments on the PESA Act, Shahdeo described the statement as “laughable” and asserted that the Hemant Soren government is fully committed to safeguarding tribal rights over jal, jungle and zameen. He questioned why the BJP, despite ruling Jharkhand for nearly two decades, failed to frame PESA rules during its tenure. He added that while the current government is serious about implementing the law at the grassroots level, the BJP is misleading the public with false narratives.

Shahdeo clarified that the state government is following a zero-tolerance policy against illegal mining and that strict action is being taken wherever complaints are received. He accused Marandi of selectively raising issues and questioned why central agencies are allegedly being used only to harass political opponents, while BJP leaders remain silent on mining mafias operating in BJP-ruled states.

He said the people of Jharkhand are well aware of those who had earlier plundered the state’s resources “like termites.” Leaders who allegedly looted the state exchequer during the so-called double-engine government were now preaching morality, he remarked. Shahdeo maintained that whether it is the Subarnarekha river or coal-bearing regions, strict monitoring is in place and no offender will be spared.

Accusing the BJP of lacking genuine public issues, Shahdeo said the party keeps shifting its focus between sand and liquor to defame the state government. He emphasized that all High Court directives are being fully complied with and that government actions are strictly within the ambit of law.