Ranchi, May 12 (PTI) The opposition BJP on Tuesday protested outside district collectorates across Jharkhand over the alleged water and electricity crisis in the state.
In Ranchi, BJP workers led by state party president Aditya Sahu marched from Zila School Ground to the district collectorate carrying earthen pots as a symbol of water scarcity.
Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and former chief minister Arjun Munda also joined the protest. Demonstrators raised slogans demanding uninterrupted water and power supplies.
Seth accused the state government of ignoring public issues and alleged that people across the state were facing severe shortages of drinking water and prolonged power cuts.
"The government is busy with political tourism and has failed to provide even basic necessities like electricity and water. Residents of Ranchi are facing power cuts of eight to ten hours, while the situation in rural areas is even worse," he claimed.
Sahu said the BJP had been holding statewide protests over the last one week, and warned that the agitation would intensify if the government failed to improve the situation.
The week-long campaign concluded with demonstrations at district headquarters in Ranchi, Lohardaga, Simdega, Gumla, Khunti and Dumka.
Munda alleged that governance in the state had "collapsed", claiming that the JMM-led government had failed to manage water and electricity supply during the summer season.
He also alleged that corruption has become rampant in the administration.
BJP leaders alleged that more than 80,000 hand pumps across Jharkhand were lying defunct.
In Dumka, party workers staged a protest outside the district collectorate and submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner, demanding proper supply of drinking water and electricity.
Former minister Raj Paliwal alleged the state government has completely failed in resolving issues related to basic necessities such as electricity, water, and healthcare.
Reacting to the protests, JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said, "BJP workers should focus on the inflation caused by the policies of the Centre that has put common people in trouble."
Congress media in-charge Rakesh Sinha alleged the BJP was focused only on "political opportunities".
"The party, which was in power in the state for 17 years and has been in the Centre for 12 years, neglected basic infrastructure. It is now shedding crocodile tears by taking to the streets," he alleged.
"BJP neither has any policy nor any issue, which is why it is indulging only in politics over every public problem," he said.
Sinha said the state government was committed to resolving the issues faced by the people.