Dhanbad: The district unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday staged a massive protest at the Collectorate over the alleged electricity and water crisis in the district. The demonstration witnessed participation from senior BJP leaders, party workers and a large number of women who accused the state government of failing to provide basic civic amenities during the peak summer season.
Protest Leadership and Participants
The protest was led by Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi. Among those present were Dhanbad MP Dulu Mahato, Dhanbad MLA Raj Sinha, Jharia MLA Ragini Singh, former minister Aparna Sengupta and district BJP president Shravan Rai along with other party leaders.
Symbolic Gestures and Slogans
During the agitation, party workers carried earthen pots on their heads and raised slogans against the state government. Women participants said that even basic facilities like drinking water were not being ensured by the government in the scorching heat. They alleged that frequent power cuts and acute water shortage had disrupted normal life across several localities, forcing residents to suffer silently.
Marandi's Address
Addressing the gathering, Marandi said that people across the state were struggling with irregular power supply and water scarcity, with rural areas facing the worst situation. He alleged, “The Centre’s ambitious Jal Se Nal scheme had fallen victim to corruption in the state. The protest is to wake up the government. BJP would intensify agitation if immediate corrective measures were not taken.”
MLA Raj Sinha's Remarks
MLA Raj Sinha said that a government incapable of providing essential services like electricity and water would ultimately face public backlash.
JMM's Response
Reacting to the allegations, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) called BJP’s agitation “drama”. JMM central committee member and media spokesperson Neelam Mishra said that the BJP, which ruled Jharkhand for the longest period after the state’s formation, was itself responsible for the lack of basic civic amenities. “BJP leaders and legislators are protesting to save their political existence. They are rattled by the development works being carried out under the leadership of chief minister Hemant Soren,” she said.
