BJP alleges death threats to party-backed candidates in Jharkhand civic polls

Jharkhand BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Aditya Sahu on Tuesday alleged that candidates supported by the party in the ongoing municipal elections are receiving death threats from criminals, and accused the Hemant Soren-led government of failing to curb rising lawlessness in the state.

Addressing a press conference in Dhanbad, Sahu claimed that the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress alliance was “rattled by the prospect of defeat” in the civic polls and was resorting to intimidation tactics through criminal elements.

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He referred to an alleged threat issued to Vijay Gagarai, a BJP-backed candidate from Chakradharpur, which was circulated on social media. Sahu also cited an incident in which a threatening poster was allegedly pasted outside the residence of a woman BJP worker. According to him, similar complaints have emerged from Dhanbad and Medininagar in Palamu district.

He said he has spoken to the Superintendent of Police and urged strict action against those responsible. He alleged that criminals, middlemen and brokers have received patronage over the past six years and were now being activated during the municipal elections.

The BJP leader questioned the conduct of the polls, alleging that the decision to hold elections on a non-party basis and through ballot papers reflected an intention to enable booth capturing and intimidation. He said the party has submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission demanding deployment of central security forces at every polling booth and installation of CCTV cameras to ensure free and fair elections.

“The increasing activities of criminals during the civic elections show that the state government is prepared to compromise democratic norms,” Sahu alleged. He warned that if adequate security measures were not ensured, the BJP would intensify its protest both inside and outside the Assembly.

Former MP P N Singh and district president Shravan Rai were also present at the press conference.