The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are clashing in Jharkhand over the frequent visits of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to the state ahead of the Assembly elections.
The JMM has accused the Centre of misusing the official positions of Chouhan and Sarma for pre-election campaigning in Jharkhand.
A complaint letter sent by the Jharkhand Government to the Election Commission of India has intensified the dispute.
Jharkhand Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel's letter accuses Chouhan and Sarma of making provocative and false statements and of threatening the state’s bureaucrats.
The letter, sent on September 2, states: “On each occasion of their visits to Jharkhand, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, and Sri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Cabinet Minister of the Government of India, have indulged in provocative and hostile statements, making blatant allegations against the administration of Jharkhand, including activities of top officers such as the D.G.P. and other senior officers, like the Senior Superintendent of Police and Superintendent of Police.”
The letter continues, “Their visits to many villages, holding rallies, and their statements have the potential to incite hatred among different communities, dissuading upright and sincere government personnel from performing their duties due to fear of reprisals in the future.”
It further claims these activities constitute a misuse of state machinery for political gain.
Sarma's statements and activities are described as direct interference in Jharkhand's internal affairs and a blatant encroachment on the executive authority of the Jharkhand Government, as provided by Article 162 of the Constitution of India.
The letter urges the Election Commission of India to advise the Union Home Minister and the Governor of Assam to issue a directive to Sarma and Chouhan to avoid creating communal tension in another state for narrow political gains.
In response, Sarma asserted that, as a political leader, it is his right to visit Jharkhand and that he will continue to do so as long as the party requires his presence.
The State BJP unit has also criticised the JMM for allegedly using state bureaucrats to advance its agenda.
Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri accused Chief Minister Hemant Soren of undermining democracy by involving officials in this manner.
He stated, “A political leader or worker can visit any part of the country and present their party's point of view.”
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