Sparks flew in Jharkhand’s Ulihatu village on Wednesday when Chief Minister Hemant Soren took digs at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was visiting Jharkhand on its Foundation Day, also to mark the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda, celebrated as the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas for the last three years.
Mr. Soren took potshots at the Prime Minister’s visit to the birthplace of Birsa Munda; the visit was promoted by the government as a first by any PM. Mr. Soren, who heads the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, which is an Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance ally, said, “It is a great thing that the PM has made it to Ulihatu on his first visit. For us, though it is a normal course of events, and we often keep visiting this hallowed place.”
In his remarks, Mr. Soren said it was unfortunate that the tribals had not yet gotten their rights. He further added that for all the talk of last mile connectivity for essential government schemes, it has not often progressed beyond mere headlines.
