The Prime Minister addresses two rallies in naxal-affected districts

Amid looming security threats, Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off his poll campaign in Jharkhand, telling people that nepotism was to blame for corruption in the State.

Mr. Modi addressed two rallies in naxal-affected Daltonganj and Chandwa, in Palamu and Latehar districts. He appealed to Maoists to shun violence and come into the mainstream. Eighteen of the 28 districts in Jharkhand are Maoist-affected.

In an oblique reference to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Shibu Soren and his Chief Minister son Hemant Soren, Mr. Modi appealed to the crowds at both the rallies to free Jharkhand from dynastic rule. “If you want Jharkhand to move on the path of development, then free the State from nepotism.” If any State had an abundance of wealth, it was Jharkhand. But it remained poor. “The Centre is determined to take Jharkhand to new heights if the BJP is voted to power in the Assembly elections,” he said. “But first, put an end to the culture of corruption here. Development is the only way to ensure growth of Jharkhand which has immense natural bounty.”

“There are five rivers in the Jharkhand, but the farmers do not have water for their lands and drinking water is scarce,” Mr. Modi said, declaring that steps would be taken to interlink rivers.

He said he had requested scientists in Japan to find a cure for sickle cell anaemia, a hereditary ailment found mostly in tribal families.

‘Pick up plough not gun’

Appealing to Maoists to shun violence, he said: “There is no place for violence in society as it does not do any good to anyone. I appeal to all those who have picked up the gun to pick up the plough instead. Work shoulder to shoulder for the State’s development.”