Ranchi, July 31: The Jharkhand Congress on Thursday mounted a sharp counterattack on the BJP over its torchlight procession on the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) issue, accusing the opposition party of indulging in political theatrics despite alleged failures on employment, recruitment and examination reforms during its decade-long rule at the Centre.
Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee State Media In-charge Rakesh Sinha alleged that the BJP was attempting to portray itself as a champion of students despite repeated incidents of paper leaks, recruitment irregularities and rising unemployment under its tenure.
Targeting BJP state president Aditya Sahu and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri, Sinha questioned the BJP over repeated leaks of competitive examinations and alleged that the party had failed to fulfil its promise of providing 2 crore jobs annually. He also claimed that lakhs of vacancies in Central government departments continue to remain unfilled.
“Before pointing fingers at the Congress, Aditya Sahu should seek answers from his Prime Minister and BJP-ruled states as to why competitive exams in the country continue to be repeatedly leaked,” Sinha said.
The Congress leader criticised BJP MPs for staging symbolic protests during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament instead of raising issues related to employment generation and filling vacant government posts.
On the controversy surrounding recruitment examinations, Sinha said the Congress favours an impartial probe into any irregularities and strict legal action against those found responsible.
“If irregularities have occurred at any level in any recruitment exam, an impartial investigation should be conducted and the guilty should be punished harshly according to the law,” he said.
Accusing the BJP of using the JPSC issue for political mileage, Sinha said the party appeared more interested in electoral gains than ensuring justice.
“The BJP is more concerned with political gain than justice,” he alleged.
The Congress leader further accused BJP leaders of remaining silent on issues such as a special package for Jharkhand, industrial development, employment generation and filling vacant posts in Central government departments.
Describing the political contest as one “between truth and lies”, Sinha asserted that the Congress stood for youth rights and social justice, while alleging that the BJP relied on rhetoric and publicity.
“The fight is now between truth and lies,” he said.
He maintained that symbolic demonstrations alone would not address the concerns of job seekers.
“Merely holding torchlight processions and press conferences will not secure the future of the youth,” Sinha said.
Alleging that the BJP practised politics based on “confusion, fear and propaganda”, he said the Congress would continue to oppose what it termed misinformation targeting students and young people.
Concluding his remarks, Sinha urged BJP leaders to present a report card of their 10 years in power instead of engaging in political theatrics, adding that unemployment remained the biggest concern for the state’s youth.
“Today, every youth in Jharkhand is asking, ‘Where are the jobs?'” he said.
