The State BJP approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Chief Electoral Officer, Ranchi seeking action against some religious groups who are seeking votes in support of candidate of a national political party in tribal district of Khunti.
State BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo on Sunday claimed that some religious groups are campaigning and seeking votes in support of a candidate of one of the national parties contesting the election from Khunti. Shahdeo said, “We have come to know that some religious groups, active in tribal district of Khunti, is seeking votes in support of a particular political party. Seeking votes on basis of religion and caste lines is against the norms of Constitution.”
Shahdeo said that the party has approached Election Commission of India (ECI) and Chief Electoral Office, Jharkhand, seeking action in this connection. In Khunti, BJP tribal face and former chief minister Arjun Munda is pitted against Congress party’s Kalicharan Munda. Kalicharan Munda is brother of BJP Khunti MLA, Neelkant Singh Munda who is also minister of rural development in Raghubar Das’s cabinet. Kalicharan had earlier represented Tamar assembly as MLA during undivided Bihar.
The BJP this time has fielded Arjun Munda from Khunti Lok Sabha seat replacing party old war horse and eight times MP Kariya Munda due to age factor. Arjun Munda who has the blessing of Kariya Munda had kicked off his election campaign after visiting the residence of Kariya Munda.
Shahdeo said, “The party, during Kolebira assembly by-election, had apprehension that some religious groups are working in support of candidate of particular political party.” In the Kolebira assembly by-election held on December last month, Congress Bixal Kongari defeated BJP Basant Soren by a margin of over 9000 votes.
The BJP spokesperson also slammed Congress leader and Patidar Andolan movement leader Hardik Patel who is campaigning in support of Congress candidate. Shahdeo said, “Hardik Patel who has sold Patidar Andolan to Congress is campaigning in support of Congress. The people of Gujarat have already rejected Patel and he has no scope in Jharkhand.”
The BJP leader, who is optimistic of BJP performance on three Lok Sabha seats going to poll on April 29, said that BJP will win all three seats in first phase of polling in Jharkhand.