Chief Minister Hemant Soren is facing controversy over his age, with accusations about inconsistencies in his records. In response, his wife, JMM MLA Kalpana Soren, questioned the BJP’s fixation on age as a major issue. She argued that the BJP lacks meaningful topics against Hemant Soren and is instead bringing this “age controversy” to the forefront.
“Has age become such a major factor?… I think if you (BJP) are so scared of Hemant Soren, you are not getting any topic…You have seen your future and your fear says that you have been so scared of Hemant Soren ever since you sent him to jail and he came out…Today, the people of Jharkhand trust Hemant Soren…,” Kalpana Soren said on Friday.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, a BJP co-in-charge for Jharkhand’s Assembly elections, dismissed the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) as “fake.” He claimed the party’s records, including property details and age declarations, are not trustworthy. Sarma also called the current Jharkhand administration a “government of infiltrators.” He cautioned that public safety would be at risk if JMM continues in power. “It is the responsibility of the people of Jharkhand to remove them from power,” he added.
Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth also voiced concerns about Hemant Soren’s age declarations. He pointed out that Soren’s age appeared to increase by seven years in just five years, based on his nomination papers. At a press conference in Ranchi, Seth remarked, “We guarantee that the information we provide on nomination papers is accurate. In 2019, Hemant Soren declared his date of birth on his nomination papers, yet in 2024, he appears to have aged by seven years in just five. What magic is this? Aisa jaadu ki Devta bhi hairaan hai (such magic, even gods astonished).” Seth accused Soren of fraud, alleging this discrepancy amounts to deceiving the Election Commission.
Seth also criticized the INDI alliance, including JMM, for frequently questioning the Election Commission and EVMs after election losses. This time, he claimed, they attempted to mislead the ECI itself. He emphasized that information on nomination papers is publicly accessible online to ensure transparency.
Finally, Seth urged the ECI to investigate the discrepancy, asking them to determine whether the inconsistency began in 2019 or 2024. “The ECI should take strict action. This is not a simple mistake but a deliberate fraud. The BJP believes in the ECI, the Constitution, and the public, while others do not,” he concluded.
