The political heat is rising in Jharkhand as BJP state president Aditya Sahu launches a blistering attack on the state government’s choice of ballot papers for upcoming municipal elections. Labeling it a blatant setup for power abuse, Sahu claims the move exposes the ruling alliance’s desperation.
After years of BJP-led protests and judicial pressure forced the government’s hand, polls for 48 urban local bodies are now on the horizon. Yet, the shift from EVMs to ballots—despite BJP’s push for party-based voting like in 2018—smacks of ulterior motives, according to Sahu.
‘With their popularity plummeting due to administrative flops and rampant crime, the coalition can’t risk fair EVM polls,’ he explained. Sahu alleged systemic police weaponization to protect offenders, predicting similar tactics to engineer wins for preferred candidates in civic races.
Calling on the election commissioner to prioritize transparency, the BJP chief promised round-the-clock surveillance by party cadres. He issued a stern warning: any attempt to turn law enforcement into an election tool would invite fierce backlash.
As Jharkhand gears up for these crucial local battles, Sahu’s outburst underscores deepening rifts over electoral fairness, with implications for the state’s fragile political balance.