Giridih police station in Jharkhand has booked BJP’s Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi in an FIR for contravening the Model Code of Conduct ahead of municipal elections. The controversy erupted late on February 21 when the legislator showed up at a bus stand hotel around 8 PM, despite campaigning wrapping up at 5 PM, drawing a group of backers.
On a tip-off, flying squad member Mohammad Mansoor informed Sadar SDM Shrikant Vispute, who arrived promptly and warned against assembling crowds post-deadline. Marandi, recognizing the situation, promptly vacated the site.
Addressing the press post-incident, Marandi clarified his intent was solely to dine, asserting that spontaneous supporter meetups are inevitable for public figures. He noted the absence of any binding directives from the SDM.
BJP state president Aditya Sahu slammed the registration of the FIR as politically motivated harassment. He accused the ruling dispensation of deploying law enforcement to bully opponents amid fears of electoral setbacks. Highlighting reported intimidations against BJP contenders, Sahu called on the Election Commission to safeguard unbiased and intimidation-free elections province-wide.
With the probe underway, the incident has fueled debates on electoral fairness in Jharkhand’s urban polls.