Manoj Jha Targets BJP Over UCC, Jobs and Trader Letter
Patna, 30 October: On Friday, RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha criticised the Centre and the BJP on a range of current issues, putting the focus on unemployment and political messaging.
Jha responded to several developments, including PM Modi's 'Run for Unity' appeal, Amit Shah's announcement regarding the Uniform Civil Code in Uttar Pradesh, a letter from Delhi traders to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, and the NDA's performance in the MLC elections.
He also backed the use of ballot papers for elections rather than EVMs. In a conversation with IANS, he said, "Some reason must exist why no developed nation in the world uses EVMs for its elections. Even the inventors of EVMs do not hold their polls through them."
On the UCC issue in Uttar Pradesh, the RJD MP reacted to Amit Shah's statement by asking what other subjects the Home Minister could address. He stressed that unemployment was the foremost challenge for the country and for Bihar, and that young people were losing hope.
"Please refrain from making statements that pull attention away from these real problems," he urged.
Jha also referred to Shah's recent visit to Uttar Pradesh, saying it came after several months and had created uncertainty. He pointed to speculation about the working relationship between Shah and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
"Had you spoken about employment, social harmony, inflation control and the performance of public sector undertakings, your position as Home Minister would have been far more evident. Instead, your camp is engaged in dog-whistle politics," he remarked.
Addressing the letter written to Sonia Gandhi by Delhi traders, Jha said the organisation was unfamiliar to him and that letters were now being drafted on its behalf. According to him, the traders feared action from the ED, CBI or Income Tax Department.
He defended the economic argument linked to Gandhi Maidan, saying that large gatherings there lead to purchases that benefit small and medium traders. He described this as a simple logic supported by evidence, adding that those trying to dismiss it were acting irresponsibly.