The Angry Young (Man) CM: Hemant Soren’s Fierce Fight Against BJP
Jako Rakhe Saiya...” Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren challenges BJP leadership during assembly polls campaigning, accusing them of lies and failing to protect Adivasi daughters across India
Giridih: During the 70s, Amitabh Bachchan, the “angry young man,” brought to the cinema screen the reflection of common men who were anti-establishment and angry at the system. Hemant Soren, the incumbent Chief Minister and also one of the youngest Chief Ministers of India, after serving five months in jail, seems like an angry man campaigning aggressively against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jharkhand.
“Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam Chief Minister) is roaming in Jharkhand, leaving work in Assam for more than a year, and even sent me to jail. But you know, Jako Rakhe Saiya Maar Sake Na Koi (the one who is guarded or protected by God cannot be killed by anyone), and again, I am standing tall before you,” Hemant Soren began his speech at Boro Airport, Giridih. He sought votes for Sudivya Kumar Sonu, the Giridih MLA, who is considered very close to the Soren family.
Five years ago, when he was campaigning for Sudivya Sonu on the same ground, Hemant Soren was clean-shaven. But in this election, he has got a completely different look, with long hair, a beard, and a changed body language. Though his wife, Kalpana Soren, is canvassing effectively for INDIA bloc candidates and has become a crowd-puller, CM Soren seems to have taken it upon himself to bring INDIA back to power.
Counters BJP with Bilkis Bano and Manipur burning examples
Recently, during the assembly election campaigning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that if the BJP returned to power in Jharkhand, they would “save the daughters of Jharkhand.” Without mentioning PM Modi directly, Hemant Soren said, “In Gujarat, gangrape victim Bilkis Bano’s rapists were released by the BJP. In Manipur, Adivasi daughters were not saved. The Prime Minister did not have the courage to visit Manipur, but the BJP is claiming to save Adivasi daughters in Jharkhand,” said an aggressive Soren.
“Girls in Jharkhand will not be a burden on their families. Our government will bear all their educational and marriage expenses,” he emphasized.
Listen to Hemant Soren, speaking at Boro, Giridih
He sharply criticized the Assam Chief Minister on the issue of infiltration (ghuspaith). “The Assam Chief Minister has spent one year trying to topple our government but has failed to resolve the ghuspaith issue in Assam. He is also the chairman of the North East Council, but has he done anything significant in this regard? He and all BJP leaders only lie,” added the Chief Minister.
Reports suggest that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha working president is delivering similar speeches at other rallies too.
“Even while being aggressive and countering the BJP boldly, he is not using foul language. A few days ago, when ED raids were conducted on the premises of his secretary, he responded to newsmen calmly. On the other hand, even senior BJP leaders have used foul language in their speeches during the elections,” said an officer based in Ranchi, on the condition of anonymity.
