Dented BJP in Haryana, denied in Maharashtra, will defeat in Jharkhand: P Chidambaram

Addressing a press conference at the JPCC headquarters here, he said that these elections were being held at a crucial juncture in the country and people shouldn't let this opportunity slip.

Referring to the recent political developments in states where assembly elections were held, he said the Congress party dented the BJP in Haryana, denied them in Maharashtra and will defeat the BJP in Jharkhand.

Pointing to Prime Minster's double engine government pitch. he said "double engine" government theory is good if both the engine move in the same direction but their opposite action is detrimental.

Taking on the BJP government over the economy of the state, Mr Chidambaram said in 2014-15 the Jharkhand had a debt of Rs 43,000 crore and in 2018-19 the figures have almost double to Rs 85,000 crore, which means every resident of Jharkhand is in double debt in the last five years.

The Congress leader pointed out the CMIE  (Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy) data, according to which 44 projects have stopped in Jharkhand.

Further, underscoring the industrial situation in the state, he said the Tata Motors Plant in Jamshedpur is closed frequently, many coal, steel and auto ancillary units have shut down.

In August the chairman of the Jharkhand Federation of Chamber and Commerce had put up hoardings claiming that 10,000 industries have closed down in Jharkhand, he added.

The Congress leader said that unemployment in Jharkhand is 15.1 per cent, the fourth highest in the country, whereas the national average is 7.9 per cent.

The former Union finance minister said Jharkhand needs a government which has correct understanding of what needs to be done within specific time.