After Jharkhand loss, Himanta Biswa Sarma sticks to influx theme amid rumblings in saffron camp

RANCHI/GUWAHATI: BJP's Jharkhand polls co-incharge and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma kept up Sunday his anti-infiltration pitch, urging the incoming JMM govt to fulfil its "constitutional responsibility" of detecting alleged illegal settlers from Bangladesh and deporting them, report . His statement came amid rumblings in the saffron camp that the anti-influx plank had cost BJP dearly in the polls.
"I would like to appeal to the Jharkhand govt to expel or at least detect infiltrators. I hope it will undertake this responsibility. As opposition in the assembly, I request our elected (BJP) MLAs to keep raising this issue," Sarma said in Guwahati.
The CM reiterated that it was a pressing need in Jharkhand to address infiltrators, regardless of who holds office. In a video message posted on X, Sarma said: "I request my fellow BJP karyakartas to pursue the issue of Bangladeshi infiltration as a responsible opposition both inside and outside the assembly in the interest of the state. I also appeal to Hemant Soren, who has returned with a good majority, to tackle the issue in his state with an iron fist. The govt must work in tandem with the Union govt to curb the menace."