Jharkhand, Nov 05 (V7N) — Chief Minister Hemant Soren has raised a pointed question at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), challenging the party to clarify if there was any agreement between India and Bangladesh concerning the stay of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Indian soil. Soren’s remarks, reported by *Hindustan Times*, come as BJP ramps up its campaign rhetoric around "infiltration" ahead of the upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections.

Speaking at a public rally in the Garhwa assembly constituency, Soren questioned BJP’s stance on infiltration, asking, “On what basis was Sheikh Hasina given shelter in India?” His statement alluded to BJP’s inconsistency, pointing out that while BJP accuses opposition parties of encouraging infiltration, it had itself hosted a prominent Bangladeshi leader. Soren's remarks spotlight the tense political discourse around infiltration, with BJP frequently attributing the issue to the JMM-Congress alliance in Jharkhand.

The remarks from Soren follow Home Minister Amit Shah’s statements during the release of BJP’s manifesto, where Shah accused the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) government of allowing infiltrators to settle as part of a vote-bank strategy. Shah pledged that a BJP government would halt "appeasement politics" and drive out those who have entered the state illegally. He alleged that infiltrators are targeting tribal communities by misleading and marrying tribal girls, ultimately seizing tribal land.

The exchange has heightened election tensions, with infiltration becoming a focal issue. As BJP seeks to unseat the JMM-Congress coalition, Soren’s question about Sheikh Hasina is likely to spark further debate, challenging BJP’s position and narrative on immigration and bilateral agreements.

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