NEW DELHI: Congress in-charge for Jharkhand affairs Ghulam Ahmed Mir on Thursday stirred controversy with his pre-poll promise of providing LPG cylinders at Rs 450 to everyone, including “infiltrators,” if INDIA bloc-led government comes in power.
In a purported video on social media platforms, Mir said, “As soon as the government is formed, from December 1, the price of a gas cylinder will be just Rs 450 for everyone, whether he is Hindu, Muslim, or an infiltrator.”
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tore into the Congress leader’s remarks, accusing the party of going to any extent to spread the “toxic politics of religious appeasement.”
BJP National spokesperson CR Kesavan said in a post on X: “Congress Leader & AICC Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmed Mir promising gas cylinder benefits to illegal immigrants. The crooked Congress will not hesitate to go to any extent and spread its dangerous, toxic politics of religious appeasement and polarization.”

The BJP is riding on its anti-infiltration campaign in Jharkhand, as Union home minister Amit Shah promised new legislation to prevent the transfer of land to infiltrators who marry tribal women. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath combined his “Batenge to Katenge” warning with Prime Minister Modi’s message, “Ek rahoge to safe rahoge,” urging people to stay united.
The BJP has also accused the Hemant Soren government of turning the state into a ‘dharmashala’ for Rohingyas and Bangladeshi infiltrators.
The JMM and Congress have countered the BJP’s “Bangladeshi infiltration” narrative with a strong offensive. JMM Chief and chief minister Hemant Soren accused the BJP of spreading communal poison in the state.
He alleged that the BJP-led NDA looted the state for 20 years and claimed it was his government that had extended rights and benefits to the people in the past five years.