Jharkhand: CM Raghubar Das plays Santa until hours before poll announcement

RANCHI: Busy laying foundations and launching development projects hours before the declaration of the election dates, chief minister Raghubar Das wrapped up his campaign to win the hearts of the electorate by launching a piped gas project in his home constituency of Jamshedpur.
Das seemed to be blessed with impeccable timing as he kicked off the Rs 811-crore piped gas project for the Steel City, which includes his home constituency Jamshedpur (East), just hours before Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force as the Election Commission (EC) announced poll dates for Jharkhand.
Since September, Das has doled out largesse for the masses in public meetings that were organised as part of the Johar Janashirvad Yatra, which served as BJP's election campaign spearhead. During the Johar Janashirvad Yatra, Das traversed more than 1,500 km and held over 100 large and small public meetings across the state.
The timing of inaugurating or laying the foundation of these multi-crore projects on road building, water supply, health and other public welfare amenities may prove to be crucial for BJP's aspirations of winning 65 seats in the elections for the 81-member assembly.
Pratul Shahdeo, spokesperson of the state BJP, said: "These are all public welfare projects which have been sanctioned by the Union and state governments. The people of this state are reaping benefits of having NDA government in the state and Centre. Owing to our state government's focus on all-round development for the local populace, these projects were sanctioned and our chief minister flagged off all big-ticket projects well on time. These projects highlight BJP's commitment towards development."
On Thursday, Das had laid foundation and inaugurated projects worth Rs 658.31 crore for all-round development of Garhwa. He also distributed goods worth Rs 17.8 crore among beneficiaries of various government projects at the same event. Das said: "Our primary focus is development of villages, poor farmers, women and youth. In accordance with people's aspirations we have given priority to projects on development of infrastructure and basic amenities." On the same day, Das also laid the foundation for a textile unit and two other industrial units in Burmu which will provide employment to 20,000 local youths.
Earlier, in October during the Johar Janashirvad Yatra, Das reached out to 35 lakh farmers with a gift of financial assistance worth Rs 3,000 crore under the Mukhyamantri Krishi Ashirwad Yojana. Das had said: "The money is meant for purchase of agricultural equipment. We want our farmers to become financially independent." The state government also sent a batch of 26 farmers to Israel for training in advanced farming techniques. In September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana from Ranchi which will entail Rs 3,000 monthly pension to farmers who have attained the age of 60 across the country.