Bengal polls will decide country’s future: Jharkhand CM in Purulia
The Statesman | 19 April 2026
The ongoing Assembly elections in West Bengal are not merely routine polls but will determine the future direction of the country, said Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren while addressing a rally at Manbazar in Purulia, today.
Describing the elections as significantly different from previous ones, the Jharkhand Chief Minister warned that if the BJP comes to power in the state, peace would be permanently disrupted. He urged voters to support the Trinamul Congress (TMC).
Without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Soren alleged that the BJP leadership was misleading the nation. “If Bengal survives in these elections, the entire country will survive,” he said.
Soren further claimed that the electoral process in the state appeared to be influenced by the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that the BJP does not contest elections directly but operates “from behind” through divisive tactics, money power and alleged manipulation of systems, including EVMs.
Addressing a large gathering, much of his speech delivered in Santali to connect with tribal voters, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader criticised both the BJP and the ECI. He alleged that similar strategies had been adopted in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra.
He further claimed that key administrative officials, including the DGP, Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Superintendents of Police and District Magistrates, had been changed, and alleged that nearly one crore names had been removed from the electoral rolls.
Soren was campaigning for minister of state for Paschimanchal Unnayan Parishad, Sandhya Rani Tudu, among other TMC candidates. He also addressed rallies in Bandwan and Kashipur in support of party nominees.
Referring to the deployment of Central forces across West Bengal, he said their presence in every locality would not intimidate Adivasi and Dalit voters. Drawing a parallel with the farmers’ protests, he said that despite hardships and casualties, farmers had forced the repeal of the three farm laws.
The Jharkhand Chief Minister also alleged that several leaders facing investigations had later joined the BJP, and claimed that many BJP legislators were “tainted”.
He further criticised the party over women’s safety in BJP-ruled states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, and questioned the representation of women candidates in the current Assembly elections.
He accused the central government of introducing “jumlas” and alleged that funds collected through demonetisation had benefited select industrialists. He also warned that the cost of essential goods could rise after the elections, disproportionately affecting tribal and Dalit communities.
Soren further alleged that opposition candidates face pressure through raids by Central agencies such as the ED, CBI and Income Tax department during elections. Referring to his own arrest during a previous election cycle, he said that despite such actions, the BJP had been defeated in Jharkhand.
Highlighting West Bengal’s political and historical legacy, he said the state has played a crucial role in India’s freedom movement and would continue to uphold democratic values.
The JMM has not fielded candidates in the Junglemahal region of south Bengal and is instead supporting the ruling TMC. Party leaders believe Soren’s campaign could influence voters in Purulia, which shares a border with Jharkhand and has a significant JMM support base.
Notably, Soren is among the few senior leaders of the INDI alliance campaigning for the TMC in these elections, while Rahul Gandhi has been campaigning separately for the Congress.