Income Tax department conducted raids at multiple locations, including the residence of Sunil Srivastava

 Just days ahead of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, the Income Tax department conducts raids at the residence of Sunil Srivastava, close aide of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, fueling political tensions.

Ranchi, Jharkhand: In a major development just days before the Jharkhand Assembly elections, the Income Tax (I-T) department conducted raids at multiple locations, including the residence of Sunil Srivastava, the personal secretary to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The raids were held at nine places across Ranchi and Jamshedpur, targeting associates linked to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader.

The timing of these raids has raised eyebrows, as the two-phase assembly elections in Jharkhand are scheduled for November 13 and 20, with results expected on November 23. The I-T department’s intervention has intensified the spotlight on the political competition between the ruling JMM-Congress alliance and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which has been gaining momentum in the state.

Details of the Raid

According to news agency ANI, the I-T department’s searches targeted Srivastava and other associates involved in various financial dealings. Sources indicate that the raids might be connected to financial irregularities and illicit activities within the political framework, which could potentially sway public perception during the election season.

Raids Across 9 Locations: Ranchi and Jamshedpur saw heightened security as the central agency conducted its searches at a total of nine different premises. The I-T department’s actions underscore the government’s intensified scrutiny of potential corruption within state machinery.

Ongoing Legal Battles for Hemant Soren

Hemant Soren, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand and leader of the JMM, has been under legal scrutiny for alleged involvement in a land scam case. In June, the Jharkhand High Court granted him bail in the case, which revolves around the fraudulent acquisition of 8.86 acres of land in Ranchi’s Badgai area. In January 2024, Soren faced extensive questioning by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for more than seven hours before being arrested. Following his arrest, Soren resigned from his position as Chief Minister, only to be reappointed soon after.

The current assembly elections hold significant stakes for Soren and his party, as the JMM, in alliance with the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and leftist parties, aims to secure a consecutive term. However, the NDA alliance, primarily led by the BJP, is vying for a strong comeback in Jharkhand, setting the stage for a heated electoral showdown.

Jharkhand’s Political Landscape: A Retrospective

Jharkhand’s 81-member Assembly is witnessing fierce competition. In the 2020 Assembly elections, the JMM emerged victorious with 30 seats, followed by the BJP with 25 seats and the Congress with 16 seats. The BJP had previously held a strong position in the state, winning 37 seats in the 2014 elections.

Hemant Soren’s Criticism of BJP’s ‘Roti, Beti, Mati’ Slogan

Amid these intensified political tensions, Hemant Soren has criticized the BJP’s campaign slogan, ‘Roti, Beti, and Mati,’ dismissing it as mere rhetoric. In a recent statement, he asserted that the BJP’s promises lack substance and are disconnected from the ground realities facing Jharkhand’s citizens.

Voter Dynamics in Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024

Jharkhand’s electorate comprises 2.6 crore eligible voters, including 1.31 crore men and 1.29 crore women. Notably, this election will see the participation of 11.84 lakh first-time voters, and a significant demographic of 66.84 lakh young voters, potentially influencing the state’s political future.

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As the assembly elections approach, all eyes remain on the central agencies’ actions and the intensifying political narrative. The I-T department’s recent raids have added fuel to an already charged atmosphere, making this election season one to watch closely.