JVM chief Babulal Marandi on Friday criticised the BJP governments in the state and the Centre for neglecting basic issues and accused the party of indulging in propaganda without any groundwork.

“All the claims of development of the state government are confined to posters, banners and advertisements in newspapers. The residents are devoid of basic facilities like drinking water, electricity, roads, school and medical care facilities,” Marandi told The Telegraph after his street-corner meeting at Bansdih village in Giridih’s Deori block, 55km from the district headquarters, which falls under Koderma Lok Sabha constituency.

“Look at the irrigation facilities in remote villages like Bansdih, which are devoid of any underground boring and tube wells. Fertile land are lying barren and villagers are compelled to migrate to metros leaving behind their families,” said Marandi, who spent around 10 minutes in the village discussing the issues with local residents before leaving for another village in the same block as part of his day-long mass contact programmes.

“Almost similar is the situation of all villages in the state which face water scarcity. The large number of dobas constructed by the state government have only helped to generate commissions,” said Marandi, adding that the condition of education and medical facilities is pathetic,” he said.

“Schools do not have teachers while hospitals like Giridih Sadar hospital are facing shortage of doctors, para-medical staff and even lack of equipment,” he added.

“The situation of both Giridih and Koderma districts, which have abundance of mica, is almost similar as youths are compelled to migrate due to lack of agriculture facilities and job opportunities,” Marandi said while raising issue of alleged starvation deaths.

“At a time when people are not getting two square meals, the state government had cancelled ration cards of over 11 lakh people only for not being linked to Aadhaar,” Marandi said.

When asked about the government taking credit of containing militancy by carrying out attacks in Pakistan after the Pulwama blood bath, Marandi said, “The government is misleading the common people while the fact remains that the highest number of terrorist attacks took place during the Modi government.”

“The government should not take credit of military action as false propaganda is demoralising the defence forces,” Marandi added.

Over the response of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s road show in Ranchi, Marandi said, “There is no Modi magic as the government asked all the deputy commissioners to bring people from their respective areas.”

When asked about tourism opportunities lying in the neglected state in Giridih district despite the presence of tourist places like Parasnath Hills, Marandi said, 'One aspect can't help to draw people as various aspects like law and order situation, lack of good roads, round the clock electricity faciliy, tranport facility are interlinked and these are lying in the neglected state'.

'The need on hour is to concentrate on basic issues like electricity, water supply, eduation,health care, medical facilities, roads, irrigation facilities, etc' said Marandi who is contesting Koderma Lok Sabha seat as a Jharkhand Vikash Morcha candidate.