Dhanbad Civic Polls Spark Controversy Over Alleged Misuse of PM Modi's Image
A significant political controversy has erupted in the lead-up to the Dhanbad Municipal Corporation elections, centering on the alleged misuse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph on social media by JMM-supported mayoral candidate Chandrashekar Agarwal. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has leveled serious accusations against Agarwal, claiming he is deliberately attempting to mislead voters by projecting an association with the saffron party.
BJP Accuses Agarwal of Voter Deception and Violating Political Propriety
BJP district media in-charge Pankaj Sinha has strongly opposed Agarwal's actions, stating that the candidate has displayed the Prime Minister's photograph on his Facebook profile, thereby creating a false impression of being linked with the BJP. Sinha termed this act a clear violation of political propriety and alleged it was part of a "well-planned conspiracy" designed to confuse voters ahead of the crucial civic polls.
The BJP has further criticized Agarwal, asserting that he is intentionally misusing the Prime Minister's name and image to gain political mileage from the historic development works carried out under Modi's leadership. The party contends this is a deliberate attempt to mislead innocent voters and derive undue electoral advantage in a highly competitive election environment.
Agarwal's Defense: PM Modi Belongs to the Nation, Not a Single Party
Responding to the allegations, Chandrashekar Agarwal offered a robust defense, arguing that Narendra Modi serves as the Prime Minister of the entire country and does not belong exclusively to any single political party. He claimed that the photograph in question had been on his social media profile for several years, long before the current electoral controversy emerged.
Agarwal further alleged that BJP leaders, lacking substantive vision and concrete work to showcase, were resorting to baseless statements and distractions instead of focusing on genuine political discourse. This sharp retort highlights the escalating tensions between the former allies in the politically significant region of Dhanbad.
Background: A Former BJP Leader's Defection to JMM
The controversy gains additional complexity from Agarwal's political history. Notably, Chandrashekar Agarwal is a former mayor and previously served as a BJP leader before his dramatic political shift. He officially joined the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on February 2, a move that came shortly after the BJP announced its support for a different candidate, Sanjeev Kumar, in the mayoral race.
This defection has added fuel to the current dispute, with BJP representatives suggesting Agarwal's continued use of Modi's imagery is particularly inappropriate given his departure from the party fold.
BJP Threatens Legal Action and EC Intervention
Pankaj Sinha has described Agarwal's actions as condemnable, misleading, and against democratic values, emphasizing that the BJP will not tolerate such practices under any circumstances. He stated that Agarwal continues to portray himself as associated with the BJP despite his JMM affiliation, which the party views as a deceptive political tactic.
In a significant escalation, Sinha announced that the BJP plans to consult its legal experts and formally approach the Election Commission of India. The party intends to demand strict action against what they refer to as the "JMM candidate" for allegedly violating electoral norms and attempting to manipulate voter perception through improper means.
The unfolding controversy underscores the intense political competition in Dhanbad's municipal elections, where symbolism, imagery, and perceived associations are becoming pivotal battlegrounds alongside substantive policy debates.
