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Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday criticised Congress leader and Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari for making derogatory remarks about BJP leader Sita Soren, emphasising that such statements not only insult Sita Soren but also the women of Jharkhand.
Chouhan further demanded that Chief Minister Hemant Soren expel Ansari from the ministry. "Sadly, a minister in Hemant Soren's government, Irfan Ansari, has made a derogatory statement against Sita Soren. Doesn't he feel ashamed? She is a highly respected leader. Using such derogatory words against her is not only an insult to her but also to the women of Jharkhand. Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren should expel him from the ministry," the Union Minister said. Irfan Ansari, the Congress candidate from the Jamtara constituency, stirred controversy with his remarks about Sita Soren, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the same constituency, calling her "rejected" and a "borrowed player." On Friday, Sita Soren posted a video on X, claiming that the Congress leader referred to her as "rejected" and a "borrowed player" while responding to a journalist's question about competing against her in the upcoming election. The BJP leader also demanded an apology from Ansari for using "indecent language" against her, stating that the public would respond to him. "Congress @INCIndia candidate Irfan Ansari must apologise for the indecent language he used against me in front of the media immediately after filing his nomination. He has previously made personal comments about me, but this time he has crossed all limits. Irfan ji @IrfanAnsariMLA, apologise, or be prepared for fierce opposition," she posted on X. "The indecent words you used while holding such a respected position have alarmed women across society. If you can use such words for me, what must poor and vulnerable women face? As long as such leaders remain in power, women will remain unsafe. The time has come to remove them from power. The way you look at women is now before the public, and the public will respond," the BJP leader added. On Saturday, BJP announced its first list of 66 candidates for the elections, as the ruling JMM-led alliance finalised the contours of its seat-sharing agreement. The BJP will contest the upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections in alliance with the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Janata Dal (United), and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). BJP will contest 68 seats, AJSU 10 seats, JD-U two seats, and LJP one seat. The party's state chief, Babulal Marandi, will contest from Dhanwar, Lobin Hembrom from Borio, and Sita Soren from Jamtara. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren has been nominated as the candidate from Saraikella, Geeta Balmuchu from Chaibasa, Geeta Koda from Jaganathpur, and Meera Munda, wife of Union Minister Arjun Munda, will contest from Potka. Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) released its fifth list of candidates on Friday, according to a press release. Elections for the 81 seats of the Jharkhand assembly will be held in two phases on November 13 and November 20. (ANI)
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