The release of the BJP manifesto and Union minister Amit Shah’s comments on “infiltration” have drawn a sharp response from Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Mr Soren has pointed out that infiltration from Bangladesh takes place through BJP-ruled states and questioned on what basis the Centre has given asylum to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 

“I would like to know whether the BJP has some sort of internal understanding with Bangladesh,” he said today while addressing an election rally at Ranka in Garhwa Assembly seat.

“Please tell us on what basis you allowed the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh to land in India and seek asylum. Infiltrators from Bangladesh enter India through BJP-ruled states. They are saying it themselves,” he added.

Yesterday, while releasing the BJP manifesto, Amit Shah had accused the state of giving “shelter” to infiltrators.

“You have given shelter to infiltrators. You made infiltrators your votebank. Today I would like to inform the people of Jharkhand that by putting an end to appeasement politics, the BJP will drive out infiltrators and rebuild Jharkhand from scratch,” he had said. 

Infiltration, though, is secondary to the big election issue that is expected to dominate the campaign – the BJP promise of implementing Uniform Civil Code, which has created a controversy in the tribal-dominated pockets of the state. 

While releasing the BJP manifesto yesterday, Mr Shah had made it clear that the tribal population, with its diverse customs and practices, will be kept out of the purview of the Uniform Civil Code.

This has been sharply challenged by the Congress, a partner in the ruling alliance. 

“If he is speaking in the capacity of the Union Home Minister then it is wrong. If he is speaking as a leader of the BJP then fine. They are habitual liars anyway,” said senior Congress leader Rajesh Thakur. “Why are you saying that tribals will be out of the purview of UCC? Because you have included them in the UCC,” he added. 

The BJP’s “sankalp patra” for Jharkhand includes 25 resolutions to mark 25 years of the state’s formation. 

Prominent among them is the welfare scheme for women “Gogo Didi” that promises Rs 2,100 per month to women to counter Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Maiyan Samman Yojana, under which they get Rs 1000 a month. The BJP has also promised free cooking gas during festivals and 5 lakh jobs for the young people in the state.
 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar gave some lifestyle and health advice after members of the audience at an event in Australia asked him for tips. He is on a five-day visit to Australia, during which he will inaugurate India’s fourth consulate there, apart from co-chairing the 15th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue (FMFD) with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong.

While taking questions from the audience at an event on Sunday, some people said they’d like to know if there is any advice on lifestyle, considering the foreign minister’s fast-paced, high-pressure role, news agency ANI reported.

Mr Jaishankar, however, before answering the question in all seriousness, suggested a business proposition on healthy living to a member of the audience who wanted to know the foreign minister’s healthy living tips.

“… I am just thinking maybe there is some formula you and I could do a business on, sort of a good lifestyle… how to take care of your heart,” Mr Jaishankar said. The hall filled with laughter.

“… But honestly, I don’t do anything remarkable. I try to be as regular… I do travel exceptionally, but the rest of it I keep it as normal as I can. The only advice I can give you is that as you get older, you feel a little bit more entitled to give lifestyle advice,” he said.

“I tell everybody to keep fit, it doesn’t matter how you keep fit. I take an hour out everyday between yoga and ideally a competitive sport because nothing like playing against someone to keep you sharp. I play squash. It is important to stay fit because at the end of the day somewhere (in the head) and yes, the heart too,” Mr Jaishankar said, gesturing with one hand towards his head and the chest. This drew much laughter in the hall again, as the allusion to the importance of mental health was unmistakable.