Rubbishing Leader of Opposition Hemant Soren’s claim that he was not invited to attend the inaugural ceremony of the new Vidhan Sabha building, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo on Friday said that Chief Minister Raghubar Das had personally addressed an invitation letter to Soren on September 10. The next day, another invitation was sent to Soren’s residence from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), he added.
“The allegation that Hemant Soren ji was not invited for the ceremony is baseless and politically-motivated. The Chief Minister had sent an invitation to him on September 10 and another invitation was sent from the CMO the next day,” Shahdeo said.
He added that Soren did not respond to the calls made to his personal mobile number and landline number during the past couple of days. “It seems that Hemant ji had already made up his mind about not attending the ceremony. We have evidence proving the fact that all the protocols were followed and he was invited to the ceremony,” Shahdeo said.
Addressing media persons at his residence in Ranchi earlier in the day, Soren accused the BJP Government of violating protocols. He said that he did not receive any official invitation for the inaugural ceremony. Soren also said that important personalities, including Governor Droupadi Murmu, were not allowed to speak during the event.
Meanwhile, the BJP on Friday shared a copy of the letter addressed to Soren. The copy of letter number 3601358, dated September 10, 2018, carried the letterhead of Jharkhand Government and was undersigned by Chief Minister Raghubar Das.
Taking a dig at Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Shahdeo said that the importance of Vidhan Sabha for JMM was evident in the fact that it boycotted the Assembly for three years. “No legislations were passed during this period. Nothing was done for the welfare of people during this time as the JMM did not allow debate in the Assembly,” said Shahdeo.
He said that not only Soren but also all the other former Chief Ministers of the State were invited for the ceremony with due respect. “Our sources are saying that many legislators of JMM are upset with Hemant Soren ji for not being allowed to witness the grand ceremony on the historic day,” said Shahdeo.
Earlier in the day, Soren had dodged questions on some JMM legislators being in touch with the BJP. He said that many BJP legislators too were in touch with JMM, but that does not prove anything.