Hemant Soren's age mismatch gives BJP fodder ahead of polls: 'How can he be 7 years older in just 5?'

Hemant Soren

A controversy has erupted over Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's age after the BJP raised concerns about discrepancies in Soren's age as declared in his 2019 and 2024 poll affidavits. Soren was listed as 42 years old in his nomination papers from 2019, but in this year's nomination, his age is stated as 49.

BJP Barhet candidate Gamaliel Hembrom has lodged a complaint with election commission officer Gautam Bhagat regarding this discrepancy.

2019: Soren's poll affidavit age - 42 years

2024: Soren's poll affidavit age - 49 years

Reacting to the allegations, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal told media: "They (BJP) will say new things to divert the issue. We are very confident that we will win and form our government again."

#WATCH | Ranchi, Jharkhand: On controversy over Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's age, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal says "They (BJP) will say new things to divert the issue...We are very confident that we will win and form our government again." pic.twitter.com/OVewdGgXAl

ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024

According to local media reports, Gamaliel has also raised questions about the value of Soren's land. He claims that Hemant stated the purchase price of his 43,560 square feet of land located in Jaridih, Bokaro, as Rs 10 lakh in 2019, but this time it is listed as only Rs 4.45 lakh.

The BJP candidate pointed out that in the 2019 election, Soren mentioned case number GR 1208/2014 in his nomination form, but this time it is absent. He also noted that in the 2019 form, a Maruti Ciaz car (registration number JH 01BW 7580) was mentioned under his wife Kalpana Soren's name, but there is no mention of it this time, even though the car is still registered in her name.

The local media reports quoted Gamaliel further that in the 2019 assembly elections, Soren only mentioned two plots of land in his nomination form, which were purchased between 2006 and 2008. However, this time he has listed a total of 23 plots, all of which were also registered between 2006 and 2008. He questioned why these properties were not mentioned in 2019. As a result, the BJP candidate is demanding the cancellation of Hemant Soren's nomination.