Hemant Soren accuses BJP of hypocrisy on Bangladesh relations, blames Modi govt for cross-border infiltration

Hemant Soren, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, criticized the BJP harshly on Nov 3, accusing it of strengthening its relations with Bangladesh and holding the state accountable for problems related to cross-border infiltration.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) president, Soren, addressing an election rally in the Garhwa Assembly seat of Ranka, accused BJP leaders of having "double standards" with regard to Bangladesh and questioned why the government permitted former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to seek asylum in India after she was ousted from office.

"Prime Minister Modi bowed before the Constitution when he took the oath. He said the country would run as per the Constitution and that all sections of society would get equal rights. I want to ask him,” said Soren.

“Have you made any internal arrangements with Bangladesh? I want to ask you (PM Modi), why did you allow Sheikh Hasina's helicopter to land here? On what basis have you given her refuge?" he asked.

The Chief Minister's remarks followed Union Home Minister Amit Shah's accusations that the JMM-led government was favoring Bangladeshi infiltrators during an election rally in Ranchi.

Shah also stated that Jharkhand's tribal population was rapidly declining and that the state's demographics were shifting.

Shah further pledged that if the BJP wins the next Assembly election, it will enact strict legislation to both expel and reclaim land from infiltrators in Jharkhand.

Soren asked why the Union government provides electricity generated in Jharkhand to Bangladesh.

"Electricity produced in Jharkhand is being supplied to Bangladesh, while the people of the state are left to deal with the pollution caused by these power plants,” said Soren.

“Isn't it the duty of the Center to guard the borders and check infiltration? State governments have no role in it. Infiltrators enter India through states ruled by you (BJP). Why don't you check for infiltration there?" he asked.

"They (the BJP) themselves admit that infiltration occurs in their state, yet they hold Jharkhand responsible," the CM added.

Elections to the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly will be held in two parts on Nov 13 and 20, with votes counted on Nov 23. The ruling JMM will contest the elections as part of the opposition's INDIA alliance, fielding candidates for 43 Assembly seats.

The Congress has been granted 30 seats, while the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), led by Lalu Prasad, will compete for six. Furthermore, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) has been allocated four seats.