JMM questions motive behind I-T raids on CM Soren's aide's residence

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Manoj Pandey questioned the "motive" behind the raids carried out by the Income Tax department on Saturday with the polling date for the state assembly nears.

Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Pandey said, "At whose behest is this happening? What is the motive behind this? People are not coming to BJP rallies while they are coming to the rallies of Hemant Soren and Kalpana Soren, this has caused frustration among them (BJP)."

Earlier in the day, the Income Tax department raided the residence of Sunil Srivastava, allegedly a close aide and personal secretary of Jharkhand CM Soren.

Pandey further questioned the timings of the raid and said only some days are left in the elections and "creating problems" at such time raises questions about the central agencies. He added that Srivastava, being close to CM Soren, has taken up several responsibilities for the assembly elections.

JMM leader said, "A central agency is conducting a raid, let's wait for the output. At what time, this is happening? This is why questions are raised about these agencies. Only some days are left in the elections. The raid is conducted at the residence of that person who is close to CM Soren and is involved in the election preparation, he has participated in the election preparations and he has taken several responsibilities. Creating problems at such time raises questions on the central agencies."

Attacking the BJP, JMM candidate Mahua Maji said that people of the state have made up their mind to not give any chance to 'jumlebaaz' here.

"Even they had made agencies to arrest CM Soren during the Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other leaders had come here during the Lok Sabha elections, but the results were in our favour. People have made up their mind that 'jumlebaaz' will not get a chance here..." she said.

Notably, this comes days ahead of the assembly elections in Jharkhand. CM Soren-led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), in alliance with Congress, RJD and left parties is facing major competition from the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA alliance in the state.

The 81-member Jharkhand Assembly will go to polls in two phases on November 13 and 20, with vote counting scheduled for November 23.