Hitting out at the BJP, Hemant Soren questioned why ousted prime minister of Bangladesh Seikh Hasina was given “asylum” in India, reports India Today.
Hemant Soren, the chief minister of Jharkhand on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing it of fostering ties with Bangladesh while blaming the state for issues related to cross-border infiltration.
Addressing an election rally at Ranka in Garhwa, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) working president said that BJP leaders have “double standards” regarding Bangladesh.
“Prime minister Modi bowed before the Constitution when he took the oath. He said the country would run as per the Constitution and all sections of society would get equal rights.”
He said, “Have you (Modi) made any internal arrangements with Bangladesh? Why did you allow Sheikh Hasina's helicopter to land here. On what basis have you given her refuge?”
The chief minister's remarks came a day after union home minister Amit Shah, while addressing an election rally in Ranchi, accused the JMM-led government of patronising Bangladeshi infiltrators, while claiming that the tribal population was dwindling in Jharkhand and its demography was changing fast.
Amit Shah also promised that the BJP, if elected to power in the upcoming Assembly election, will bring in a stringent law to take back land from infiltrators in Jharkhand as well as to drive them out.
Hitting out at the home minister’s remarks, Soren questioned why electricity produced in Jharkhand is given to Bangladesh by the Centre.
“Electricity produced in Jharkhand is being supplied to Bangladesh, while people of the state are left to deal with the pollution caused by these power plants. Isn’t it the duty of the Centre to guard the borders and check infiltration?” he asked.
“State governments have no role in it. Infiltrators enter India through states ruled by you (BJP). Why don't you check infiltration there?” he questioned.
"They (BJP) themselves admit that infiltration occurs in their state, yet they hold Jharkhand responsible," the chief minister added.
Elections to the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly will take place in two phases on November 13 and 20, and votes will be counted on November 23.
Bd-Pratidin English/ Afsar Munna
