Modi promised, but black money not yet traced: Marandi

Ranch: Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi promising to bringing back the black money stashed abroad, no amount has been traced, former Jharkhand chief minister Babulal Marandi said Saturday.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi claims himself a chaiwala (tea seller) and a businessman sells anything for profit. Modi says he will bring back black money, but till now no sum has been traced," Marandi, president of the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P), told IANS.

"Hundreds of crore are being spent on the Jharkhand poll. All the hoardings, newspapers, news channels have been booked by the BJP and the JMM. From where is this money coming," he asked.

Marandi formed the JVM-P in 2006 after splitting from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2009, JVM-P fought the assembly poll in alliance with the Congress and won 11 seats. This time, it is fighting on 73 of the 81 seats in alliance with TMC of Mamata Banerjee.

He also took a dig at BJP's appeal to end dynasty rule and said that it is the same party that appointed Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's (JMM) Shibu Soren as the chief minister and his son Hemant Soren as the deputy chief minister after the 2009 assembly polls.

"How can the BJP appeal to end dynasty politics when it promoted both father and son," said Marandi.

He said he was confident of forming government in the state.

"Besides taking tough position on corruption, my party agenda is to improve the law and order situation and tackle the Maoist menace," he said.

"Many politicians who were in power in last 14 years will be in jail if my government comes to power," Marandi added.

Polls are being held in Jharkhand in five phases. The third phase will be held Dec 9, and the votes will be counted Dec 23.