Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of running a “shadow campaign” aimed at damaging his reputation and undermining the state’s image. His remarks came as voting was underway in the first phase of the state’s Assembly elections, which are being held across 43 constituencies.
Soren alleged that the BJP was spending “crores of rupees” to target the ruling JMM-led coalition government, particularly through social media campaigns. He claimed the party had set up 95,000 WhatsApp groups and paid for Facebook ads to spread negative narratives about him and the state. The Chief Minister specifically pointed to advertisements worth Rs 72 lakh on social media pages like ‘Jharkhand Chaupal’ and ‘Ranchi Chaupal,’ which he accused of promoting religious discord and creating internal divisions.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Soren wrote, “These ads have one sole purpose: to tarnish my image, spread religious frenzy, and create division among people.” He also expressed frustration that, despite filing a formal complaint with the Election Commission, no action had been taken against the BJP’s alleged activities.
Soren emphasized that unlike the BJP, he had not spent any money on promotional ads. “You can verify this by checking the ad library of any social media platform,” he said, highlighting the contrast between his principled campaign and what he described as the BJP’s use of “unfair means.”
The Chief Minister also criticized the BJP for its divisive politics, asserting that while political opponents may have vast financial resources gained through dishonest means, true progress could only come from integrity and people’s support. “Dictators may possess billions, but they can never bring real progress. You people are my real strength,” he said, reiterating his commitment to a principled and inclusive approach to governance.
Soren concluded by underscoring that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) had always focused on uniting people, unlike the BJP-led NDA, which he accused of resorting to violence and division. “Choosing violence is easy, but it is a sign of cowardice,” he added.