Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren accused the BJP central leaders of eyeing power in poll-bound Jharkhand with the sole motive to loot mineral and forest resources.

Addressing a government function at Chatra district on Tuesday, Soren alleged that the BJP had disturbed the implementation of every “well-intended” welfare policy by dragging them into court and in a startling allegation claimed that few judges also side with BJP “with the intention of entering politics by joining BJP”.

“The BJP is interested in getting power in Jharkhand as the state is known as the ‘golden bird’ in the world because of its mineral and forest resources. They are only interested in looting the mineral and forest resources and have scant regard for improving lots of the local people of the state. They have already done it in Hasdeo forest in neighbouring Chhattisgarh and awarded the forest for coal mining to their friend Adani and tribals are being displaced under the patronage of the state government,” claimed Soren.

He further accused the BJP of disrupting the implementation of government welfare measures by filing PILs in courts.

“They have a pool of brilliant lawyers and whenever we implement a welfare scheme for the better interest of the poor and marginalised, they put obstacles by filing PIL and dragging it into court. They even have a few judges in their pocket who support them with the hope of getting tickets in elections and joining politics,” alleged Soren.

Soren cited the example of recruitment policies for the locals and the recent government financial assistance scheme for women between 18-50 years against which PILs have been filed by individuals whom the JMM is accusing to have the tacit support of the BJP.

“We have heard that the BJP is now planning to bring policies replicating the welfare scheme for women, which has already been implemented by us. I would like to ask the BJP which ruled the state for the maximum period since formation (in 2000), why didn’t they implement such policies?” questioned Soren.

Soren also accused the BJP-led Centre of putting him in jail under a conspiracy just before the Lok Sabha polls.

“They have disturbed me for the last two years, threatening to put me in jail for some or other reasons. They planned it in such a manner that I was put in jail just before the Lok Sabha polls. However, the tribal people taught them a lesson in the Lok Sabha polls and will teach them a lesson even during the Assembly polls,” claimed Soren.