Age Controversy Sparks Political Heat in Jharkhand Elections

Amidst allegations of a false age declaration by Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, BJP's Himanta Biswa Sarma criticizes the ruling JMM, labeling its system fake and corrupt. The political climate intensifies with accusations from both sides, as Jharkhand prepares for its Assembly elections.

In a heated political atmosphere surrounding the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also a BJP co-in-charge for the elections, has accused the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) of systemic fraud. He claims that the party's falsified property affidavits indicate their corruption, even suggesting that Chief Minister Hemant Soren's age has allegedly increased by seven years over the past five years.

Further fueling the fire, Congress leader Irfan Ansari found himself in hot water for derogatory remarks made against BJP's Sita Soren, prompting Sarma to criticize the Jharkhand government for its inaction against Ansari's comments about the tribal community.

The tension escalated as BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla defined JMM as a party of 'Jhol, Muslim appeasement, and Mafia,' accusing it of evolving corruption into affidavits. In response, JMM members, including Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji, dismissed these claims, expressing confidence in election victory and accusing the BJP of distraction tactics.

(With inputs from agencies.)