BJP-Congress Face-Off in Ranchi as Protest March Ends in Clash with Police

Ranchi: Tension flared in Ranchi on Wednesday after Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and BJP workers attempting to march towards the Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee office were stopped by police, triggering a scuffle and a prolonged standoff outside the party headquarters.

The protesters were prevented from reaching the Congress office after police barricaded the route in anticipation of the demonstration. As BJP workers tried to move past the barricades, security personnel intervened, leading to brief pushing and jostling between the two sides.

BJP workers raised slogans against the Jharkhand government and the Congress leadership, while Congress leaders and supporters gathered inside the office responded with counter-slogans targeting the BJP and the Central government. The exchange intensified tensions, prompting authorities to deploy additional police personnel in and around the area.

Senior police officials remained at the spot to monitor the situation and ensure that workers from both parties did not come face-to-face. Although slogan-shouting continued for some time, police managed to keep the situation under control.

Earlier in the day, BJYM workers had gathered at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium before marching to the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) headquarters to protest the results of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination. Protesters allegedly breached police barricades in an attempt to reach the commission's main gate, resulting in another confrontation with security personnel.

The BJP accused the JPSC of serious irregularities in the examination results and cut-off process, alleging that the recruitment exercise lacked transparency and had unfairly affected deserving candidates. The protesters demanded an independent inquiry, strict action against those responsible, and justice for aspirants.

Outside the Congress office, BJP leaders alleged that the state government and the Congress were trying to divert attention from recruitment-related controversies and corruption allegations. Congress leaders rejected the accusations, calling the protest a political exercise and maintaining that the inquiry into the examination process was already underway.

Police said the situation remained tense but peaceful, with enhanced security arrangements in place to prevent any untoward incident.

With inputs from IANS

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