Union minister Arjun Munda alleged on Monday that the Congress and the INDIA bloc had transformed tribal communities into a mere electoral resource, whereas the BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ensured that these communities received their rightful esteem. Criticizing the Congress, the former thrice-elected chief minister of Jharkhand asserted that the party perceived tribal inhabitants of forests as inherently criminal, while the Atal Bihari Vajpayee administration initially prioritized their well-being.
“During its six-decade tenure, the Congress treated tribes solely as electoral assets, whereas the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is dedicated to ensuring their rightful acknowledgment and regard. This is exemplified by the Prime Minister’s selection of Khunti for the launch of major initiatives, including a Rs 24,000 crore program for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) from Khunti,” articulated Munda in an interview with PTI.
Munda, serving as the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs and Agriculture, is vying for the Lok Sabha elections from the reserved Khunti constituency, which is synonymous with tribal luminary Birsa Munda. In the 2019 elections, Munda clinched the Khunti LS seat, grappling with issues like human trafficking, impoverishment, opium cultivation, and Naxalism, albeit with a slim margin of 1,445 votes. He now finds himself in a direct electoral contest with Congress candidate Kalicharan Munda.
“The reality remains that tribal societies have been exploited solely as electoral fodder. They were devoid of schemes and policies tailored to their needs. When measures for their rights and welfare were eventually introduced, the Congress saw fit to place tribal affairs under the purview of the Home Department, harboring the notion that denizens of forests were inherently criminal,” he asserted.
It was the erstwhile Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who championed their welfare, later continued by Modi to ensure equitable treatment, Munda contended. He claimed that tribal communities had discerned the political machinations of the Congress, perceiving their intent to obstruct development to capitalize on their naivety. Presently, they are cognizant of their rights and recognize those who advocate for them.
“They will rally behind the BJP, led by a dynamic and visionary figure like Prime Minister Modi. We are confident of surpassing the 400-seat mark this time, and in Jharkhand, we anticipate victory across all 14 Lok Sabha seats, irrespective of tribal or non-tribal constituencies,” Munda asserted. Responding to queries, he acknowledged Khunti and Simdega’s reputation for human trafficking, particularly of young girls.
“Innovative endeavors have been undertaken to instill confidence and offer employment opportunities to girls here. Initiatives like ‘learning while earning’ have been launched to facilitate employment for tribal girls. I am gratified to note that this groundbreaking initiative has proven successful, with thousands of girls trained by Tata Electronics. Khunti girls are now involved in manufacturing mobile parts, including those for Apple phones,” he elaborated.
Extensive horticultural initiatives are also underway to integrate youth engaged in drug trafficking and extremism into mainstream society, he added. Despite recording substantial yields of fruits and vegetables, Khunti struggles to reap the benefits due to the absence of food processing facilities and market access.
Acknowledging the inadequate infrastructure and institutional frameworks in the eastern region, Munda admitted, “Procurement through minimum support price mechanisms is insufficient, compounded by past governmental neglect. However, we are steadfast in our commitment to fortify agricultural infrastructure in the region, particularly for cash crops and horticulture, facilitating their integration into the national market. Special attention will be accorded to Jharkhand.”
Regarding lac and tussar silkworm cultivation, efforts are being intensified to promote these in domestic and international markets, alongside the establishment of a sizable laboratory in Khunti as part of the Honey Mission. Commenting on the opposition’s pledge to enforce MSP on all agricultural produce, he opined that while it might yield short-term popularity, its long-term efficacy warrants scrutiny.
“They pledge this on the cusp of elections, despite holding power for six decades. They could have implemented it much earlier,” remarked the BJP stalwart. On the BJP’s commitment to provide rations for 80 crore individuals over the next five years, he reassured, “Our reserves suffice, obviating the need for imports.”
When queried about his confidence in securing victory, given the slim margin in the previous election, the minister responded, “Admittedly, the previous contest was closely fought. However, the people of Khunti are judiciously deciding their fate.” He enumerated developmental initiatives in Khunti, including the establishment of Eklavya Model Schools and augmenting student-teacher ratios.
Taking aim at the JMM-led coalition in the state, Munda alleged deliberate delays in fund disbursement and the execution of central schemes to disparage the BJP. Disputing the coalition’s claim of inadequate funding under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna, necessitating the launch of the state-driven Abua Awas Yojna, he cited mismanagement of Rs 5,000 crore earmarked for water supply.
Similarly, he accused the coalition of stalling the allocation of Adarsh Gram Yojana projects for three years, releasing them merely ahead of elections. “Illicit transfer of tribal lands is rampant in Jharkhand, a pressing concern that the state government ought to address. Regrettably, the former CM himself faces allegations of land encroachment,” he remarked, alluding to an accusation against Hemant Soren. According to Munda, public sentiment does not favor him.
Responding to the INDIA bloc’s accusation of central agencies harassing opposition leaders, he suggested legal recourse if they felt aggrieved. Munda criticized the state government’s control over sand, asserting that it falls under the purview of Gram Sabha as a minor mineral. The Khunti (ST) constituency, with a total of 13.12 lakh voters, is slated for polls on May 13.
