Political tensions rise as Jharkhand Assembly elections approach

Old foundation stones discarded as new inaugurations take place ahead of elections.

Key Points:

– Cold storage foundation stone in Bamni village discarded.

– Cold storage project approved in 2019 but delayed for years.

– Former MLA Ramchandra criticizes the move as political opportunism.

JAMSHEDPUR – As Jharkhand’s Assembly elections near, political activities have intensified, with new inaugurations happening while old foundation stones are being discarded.

In Bamni village, Patamda block, the foundation stone for a cold storage facility, laid in 2019 by former MLA Ramchandra and district MPs, was found discarded in a corner.

The cold storage project was approved in 2019, thanks to Ramchandra’s efforts, but despite the government changing and the facility being completed, it remained non-operational for years.

On Thursday, just before the election code of conduct was set to take effect, the cold storage was hastily inaugurated under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Interestingly, the state’s Chief Minister had already inaugurated the facility online in 2021, but it never became functional until now.

Former MLA and minister Ramchandra condemned the move, calling it shallow politics.

He stated that the cold storage was a longstanding demand of the local farmers, and his government had completed its construction during his tenure.

He added that if it had been operational four and a half years ago, as planned, farmers would have already been benefiting from it.

Regarding the discarded foundation stone, Ramchandra commented that while the stone may be gone, the people know who brought development to the area, and they will respond when the time comes.