New Delhi: A day after the BJP faced a crushing defeat in the Jharkhand assembly elections, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that he had never claimed a BJP victory in the state. The JMM-led alliance, under chief minister Hemant Soren, secured a second consecutive term, winning 56 of the 81 assembly seats. The BJP-led NDA managed to secure only 24 seats despite an aggressive campaign.
Sarma, who served as the BJP’s co-in-charge for the Jharkhand polls, acknowledged the tough electoral challenge. Speaking at a press conference, he said, “Whenever asked about Jharkhand, I said it is a difficult state. I never claimed we would win. Despite the circumstances, our party gave its best effort.”
Focus on infiltration in Jharkhand
During his campaign in Jharkhand, Sarma had raised concerns about infiltration, describing it as a major issue for the state. He reiterated his stance on Sunday, calling on the JMM-led government to fulfil its constitutional duty of identifying and deporting infiltrators. “Infiltration poses a demographic threat. It is the government’s responsibility to act against it. No administration should compromise on this issue, as the consequences will affect everyone,” he said.
Sarma also addressed the BJP’s MLA-elects, urging them to raise the issue in the assembly and hold the government accountable. In a late-night Facebook Live session on Saturday, he appealed to the JMM government to act decisively, saying, “The problem of infiltration will harm Jharkhand in the coming days. It is your government, and I urge you to push back these infiltrators or at least identify them. It is your constitutional duty.”
Reflecting on BJP’s defeat
On the BJP’s electoral setback, Sarma noted that failures pave the way for future successes. “For whatever reason, we could not achieve our goal. But that doesn’t mean we should stop trying. Every failed attempt lays the foundation for eventual success,” he said.
The Assam CM, who spent four months campaigning in Jharkhand, expressed gratitude for the support and affection he received during his time in the state. “I may not have succeeded in my mission, but I will always remember the love and warmth of the people,” he added.
