The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday approached the State Election Commission seeking deployment of Central security forces for the upcoming urban local body elections, alleging a serious deterioration in the law and order situation. The Congress rejected the charge and termed the demand politically motivated.
A high-level BJP delegation led by state president and MP Aditya Sahu met the State Election Commissioner and submitted a memorandum demanding Central force deployment at sensitive and hyper-sensitive booths, as well as at ballot storage centres and counting venues until completion of the process.
The delegation included former state president Dr Ravindra Kumar Rai, state vice-president Aarti Kujur, co-media in-charge Ashok Baraik, legal cell convener Sudhir Srivastava and other party functionaries.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s state headquarters, Aditya Sahu alleged that the law and order situation in Jharkhand had “collapsed” and claimed that criminal elements were operating with impunity. Referring to recent incidents such as threat emails to the Ranchi Civil Court and the Deputy Commissioner’s office, firing incidents in districts including Ramgarh and Jamshedpur, and reported cases of violence in Ranchi, he said the prevailing atmosphere raised concerns about the conduct of free and fair civic polls.
The BJP memorandum stated that elections to 48 urban local bodies, covering 1,087 wards and 4,304 booths, are scheduled for 23 February and will be conducted through ballot papers instead of EVMs. The party expressed apprehension over possible misuse of administrative machinery and urged the Commission to ensure deployment of Central forces at vulnerable locations and at strong rooms and counting centres.
The memorandum was signed by Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi, Aditya Sahu and other BJP leaders. A copy was marked to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Responding to the allegations, Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Sonal Shanti said the State Election Commission was fully capable of conducting peaceful and impartial elections and described the demand for Central forces in urban civic polls as unwarranted.
Sonal Shanti also alleged that the BJP was attempting to create an atmosphere of fear ahead of polling and accused the party of violating the Model Code of Conduct in certain places. He questioned the BJP’s record in urban governance during the period when it was in power in several municipal bodies and at the state level.