Babulal Marandi questions Jharkhand CM’s foreign tour amid power woes, rising crime

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

Ranchi, April 18: BJP’s Jharkhand President and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi today launched a scathing attack on Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren over his scheduled foreign visit to Sweden and Spain, questioning the government’s priorities at a time when the state is grappling with a worsening power crisis and deteriorating law and order.

Taking to social media platform X, Marandi alleged that while Jharkhand is witnessing frequent daylight murders and severe electricity issues, the Chief Minister is preparing to travel abroad with a sizeable official delegation, which includes his wife and JMM legislator Kalpana Soren.

He raised concerns about the absence of the state’s Industry Minister from the delegation, especially when the visit is being projected as an effort to attract foreign investment.

He pointed out that although key officials from the Industry Department, such as the Secretary and Director, are part of the tour, the exclusion of the Industry Minister suggests there may be other intentions behind the trip.

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आज प्रदेश में कानून व्यवस्था ध्वस्त हो चुकी है, दिनदहाड़े हत्याएं हो रही हैं, बिजली संकट गहराया हुआ है… और इन सबके बीच मुख्यमंत्री @HemantSorenJMM अपनी विधायक पत्नी को साथ लेकर एक बड़े सरकारी प्रतिनिधिमंडल के साथ स्वीडन और स्पेन की यात्रा पर रवाना हो रहे हैं।

यदि इस यात्रा का…

— Babulal Marandi (@yourBabulal) April 18, 2025

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Marandi also recalled a previous incident in which the Industry Minister was reportedly humiliated and prevented from participating in an investment meeting in Kolkata, with the Chief Minister instead taking his wife to the event.

Questioning the legitimacy of the tour, Marandi asked why a personal trip would involve so many government officials at the state’s expense. He also criticised the inclusion of a retired Indian Forest Service officer in the delegation, claiming the individual’s “reputation is widely known in the state”.

Marandi further alleged that ministers from allied parties are routinely sidelined in the Hemant Soren-led government and that significant departmental powers have effectively been transferred to the Chief Minister’s wife, undermining the role of officially appointed ministers.