'Can Go to Any Extent...': BJP Hits Back at Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Over 'Rat-Like' RSS Remark

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) launched a scathing attack on Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren over his recent 'rat-like' RSS remark, saying that this shows the "true face" of him and these people can go to any extent for vote banks.

Saffron party's national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala in a video statement said, "The true face of Hemant Soren has now been seen, when he says that people who are nationalists, who are chosen by the people of Jharkhand , they are rats, they are infiltrators. But when the High Court has said that on the Adivasi land in Santal Pargana, Bangladeshis and infiltrators have come and they have done Kabza, then rather than remove them, rather than take action on them, in the name of vote bank politics, those people are defended."

"Anybody who raises their voice against the land jihad or love jihad, they are beaten up. This is the true face of Mr Hemant Soren. In the name of vote bank politics, they can go to any extent," the BJP leader added.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Amar Kumar Bauri said, "It is a matter of regret that Chief Minister Hemant Soren is endangering the identity of his ancestors, descendants and tribal society for appeasement and vote bank politics. Hemant Soren is not able to see Bangladeshi infiltrators in the state but is banning RSS in the state. How low will you stoop due to vote bank politics? You must listen to the voice of your conscience."

What Did Soren Say?

On Wednesday, Addressing a rally at Bhognadih in Sahibganj, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday, September 25, compared the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) with "rats" and accused both the BJP and the RSS of attempting to undermine communal harmony in the state for their electoral gains.

"RSS is invading the state like rats and destroying it. Chase such forces away when you see them entering your villages with 'handia' and 'daru' (locally brewed liquor)...They want to create communal disturbances and tension ahead of elections for political gains," he said while speaking at the rally virtually.

The Chief Minister further alleged that the BJP intends to foster hatred between communities, predicting to increase in provocative incidents such as throwing meat into temples and mosques, PTI reported.

Soren also took a jibe at Assam 's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa questioning his presence in Jharkhand while tribals in his state face numerous atrocities.

"They talk about spoiling the demography and Bangladeshi intruders. I would like to tell them to go and get the data from the Centre and see in which district and in which state it has changed. They don't like places where people live in peace and harmony. They cook their political plans and conspiracies ignited by them. You need to identify them and show them their worth," he said.