The controversy over Jharkhand Congress in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir’s alleged remarks on “ghuspaithiya” has not only presented the Opposition BJP an opportunity to attack the  INDIA alliance over “appeasement politics” but also upset some of the allies in the ruling alliance.

In a purported video of an election meeting in Jharkhand’s Bermo area, Mir is heard saying, “Humne wada diya janta ko ki jaise hi sarkar banegi, December 1 se gas cylinder ka kimat sirf Rs 450 hoga… Na usme Hindu dekha jayega, na musalman dekha jayega, na ghuspaithiya dekha jayega, na koi aur cheej dekha jayega. (We have promised the people that with the formation of our government, gas cylinders will be provided at Rs 450 each from December 1. It will be provided without any discrimination whether they are Hindus, Muslims, infiltrators and any other factor).”

Hitting back at the Congress on Mir’s alleged remark, Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public meeting in Maharashtra’s Panvel on Thursday said, “…A Congress leader has today announced in Jharkhand that they will provide gas cylinder at subsidised rates to Hindus, Muslims and also to ghuspaithiya… You tell me, those who welcome infiltrators, should they get an opportunity in any part of the country? Their leader is openly announcing to provide gas cylinders to infiltrators, Rohangiya and Bangladeshis at cheaper rates. This is an example of how they are playing with the country and the bright future of your children to get votes.”

The Jharkhand BJP on Thursday gave a memorandum to the Election Commission demanding exclusion of the Congress in-charge from the Jharkhand Assembly elections.

Union Minister and BJP’s Jharkhand election in-charge Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday said, “Mir’s statement clears two things — first is that ghuspaithiya are existing. Second, that ghuspaithiya are their vote bank and to secure their votes, they (Congress) will give gas cylinders to them at Rs 450. No leader from Congress and JMM has so far contradicted that statement of the state unit in-charge. It exposes the dangerous intentions of JMM and Congress… They get their (infiltrators’) names included in the voters’ list and get Aadhaar and ration cards issued for them.”

Jharkhand Congress spokesperson R K Sinha said, “Media has twisted the statement of our state in-charge and presented it in the wrong way.” Sinha claimed that Mir has not used “ghuspaithiya” word in his statement.

JMM spokesperson Tanuj Khatri said Mir’s remark was apparently twisted and presented in a different manner. “It is the responsibility of the Centre and the Home Ministry to confirm about infiltration and take action against that. Why was BJP silent between 2014 and 2019 when it was ruling both in the state and at the Centre. Secondly, Jharkhand does not share boundaries with Bangladesh.”

RJD spokesperson Rakesh Sharma said he cannot comment because he has not heard the alleged remark of Mir.

However, another senior RJD leader attacked the Congress for the remarks. “Sometimes, Congress leaders land in controversy themselves and drag others by making unnecessary remarks. Mir’s remarks will help BJP in polarisation on the issue of infiltration. Congress should be careful in deploying leaders from outside the state who are not familiar with local socio political issues.”