THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Sept 1: Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s participation in the INDIA Alliance rally in Patna has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Jharkhand. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused him of attending the event to protect his position in the state, while the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has defended his presence, saying it reflected a larger struggle to uphold the Constitution and democracy.
BJP questions motive behind visit
BJP state spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo alleged that Soren’s decision to attend the Patna meeting was driven by political survival rather than alliance solidarity. He criticised the Chief Minister for repeatedly expanding the abbreviation SIR as Special Incentive Revision instead of Special Intensive Revision during his address. According to Shahdeo, the repeated slip demonstrated that Soren views governance primarily in terms of “percentage” and “incentive.”
Shahdeo further claimed that the JMM had been sidelined within the INDIA bloc in Bihar, where it was not allotted a single seat. “Despite not receiving an invitation to the meetings, the Chief Minister still joined the rally. This reflects the extent of compromise being made with Jharkhand’s identity,” he said.
Reference to Congress’ past role
The BJP spokesperson also referred to the political history of Soren’s father, late Shibu Soren, alleging that Congress was responsible for sending him to jail twice. “The same Congress that once subjected his father to humiliation and imprisonment is now being embraced for power. This amounts to both political compromise and disregard for the state’s legacy,” Shahdeo stated.
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He asserted that voters have recognised the “real face” of the JMM and maintained that the BJP would continue to highlight such issues while working to safeguard Jharkhand’s identity.
JMM cites public support and democratic values
In response, JMM general secretary and spokesperson Vinod Kumar Pandey said that Soren’s participation in the Patna rally reflected the resilience of the opposition. “The Chief Minister stated that if he had not been incarcerated, the BJP would not have been able to win a single seat in Jharkhand during the Lok Sabha elections. This indicates the level of support for him and the nervousness within the BJP,” Pandey remarked.
He added that Soren’s message from the rally was clear—that the ongoing political struggle transcends party lines and is centred on protecting democratic institutions. “Following his release from jail, the people of Jharkhand expressed confidence in his leadership during the 2024 assembly elections, giving the government a full majority. Public welfare schemes are being implemented, and this progress is what the BJP is unable to accept,” he said.
Allegations of misuse of central agencies
Pandey also criticised the BJP for allegedly relying on “money power” and central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate, CBI and Income Tax Department to intimidate opponents. “The people of Jharkhand are no longer deterred by such tactics. The attempt to silence tribals, Dalits, farmers and backward communities has been exposed,” he asserted.
He maintained that the JMM, together with Congress, is committed to safeguarding democracy and people’s rights. In contrast, he accused the BJP of weakening democratic institutions and engaging in political manoeuvring. “The leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren represents the protection of Jharkhand’s identity and rights. The public is fully aware and will respond appropriately,” Pandey said.
