Jharkhand govt writes EC claiming Himanta, Shivraj visits to state may ‘foment hatred’

Ranchi: The Jharkhand government has accused Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of having a "propensity to foment hatred across different communities" and of threatening top state bureaucrats in a letter to the Election Commission of India.

The BJP's election coordinators for Jharkhand, Sarma and Chouhan, have visited the state frequently ahead of the Assembly elections that are scheduled for later this year.

The Jharkhand government referred to "false statements" made by a visiting Chief Minister in a letter dated September 2. The letter queried whether this did not amount to character assassination of government personnel in the host state, particularly senior bureaucrats. It also raised the issue of the BJP designating individuals to oversee elections in a state where poll schedules are still pending. EC sources stated that because the model code of conduct is not in effect, they are powerless. The leaders were accused by the JMM-led Jharkhand government of engaging in "mudslugging, interfering in the internal affairs and administration of the State of Jharkhand," and they called for the "strongest possible" action against them, Indian Express reported.

“The government of Jharkhand has been discharging its duties and responsibilities in extending all required facilities to Cabinet Minister Shivraj Singh and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma… However, it has been noted that on each occasion of their visits to the state… (they) have indulged in provocative and hostile statements, and blatant allegations to the media against the administration of the State of Jharkhand, including activities of top officers such as the DGP, SSPs, SPs… They have been visiting many villages, holding rallies, and their statements and activities have the propensity to foment hatred among different communities, dissuading upright and sincere government and personnel from discharging their rightful duties on account of fear of reprisals in the near future,” the letter read.

Sarma, Chouhan, and other BJP leaders' social media posts were screenshotted and submitted to the letter, which claimed the party was attempting to "create communal tension.”

“These activities appear to be a deliberate and planned scheme to falsely and wrongfully malign the administrative officials such that when the Model Code of Conduct comes into force, reports based on false charges can be prepared of such officers and sent to the ECI to act against such officers and top bureaucrats of the State. This appears to be a prelude of things to come… There appears to be a long-drawn-out attempt by the BJP to scare the administration and police officers of the State of Jharkhand so that they may not take just and lawful preventive and punitive action, especially when the BJP is trying to create communal disturbance and tension in the area by influencing religious passions and creating communal disturbances,” the letter states.

The letter referenced the ECI's previous "removal and debarment" from the electoral duty of former Deoghar Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri, who was later called by the Lok Sabha's Privilege Committee. The letter also listed steps taken against Piyush Pandey, Superintendent of Police Deoghar, and then-DGP Jharkhand M V Rao, as well as Ajit Peter Dung Dung (then SP Deoghar), which the letter claimed were the result of bogus allegations filed by Godda MP Nishikant Dubey. The letter stated that the "systematic and well-planned attack" on Jharkhand's administration and police had resulted in a "widespread feeling of fear and demoralisation" among the rank and file. The letter also asked the ECI to be impartial while investigating complaints filed against state bureaucrats.

“Advise (Chouhan and Sarma) not to allow the misuse of official position and the state official machinery at the expense of the public exchequer for political gain,” the letter to the ECI said.