Hemant Soren says political differences must be kept within country; BJP connects remarks to Rahul Gandhi

Hemant Soren

• Hemant Soren says political differences should be resolved within India
• BJP links Soren's remarks to Rahul Gandhi's criticism of India abroad
• Congress denies Soren targeted Rahul Gandhi, says comments aimed at PM

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Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday stated internal political differences must be solved within the country and not raised abroad, a remark that BJP interpreted as an indirect dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

“I cannot stay abroad and criticise my own country. This is our domestic fight, and we will fight it at home,” Soren said at News18 India’s Diamond State Summit, adding that its foolishness to show weaknesses outside.

The BJP quickly reacted to the statement linking it with Rahul Gandhi, who has often criticised the Centre during his overseas visits.

BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari said Congress’s allies also don’t take Rahul Gandhi seriously. “Its a big slap on the face of Rahul Gandhi whose only aim is to Speak Against India whenever he travels abroad!” he wrote on X, sharing a video of Soren's remarks.

“No one in Opposition takes Rahul Gandhi seriously; & time and again shows mirror to him & his anti India politics!” the BJP leader added.

Soren’s party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), stood by the chief minister’s statement, describing it as the voice of a seasoned and visionary leader. It said his remarks showed his commitment to development and his refusal to indulge in political slander, according to a report by CNN-News18. According to the party, his stance on not speaking ill of the country overseas underscored his mindset.

The RJD, another coalition partner, echoed the sentiment, saying domestic concerns must not be taken to foreign soil. It added that although alliance partners work together in governance, they remain guided by their distinct ideologies, the CNN-News18 report added.

Meanwhile, the Congress rejected the BJP’s interpretation, saying the chief minister was not targeting Rahul Gandhi. Instead, the party asserted that the comments were aimed at the Prime Minister, arguing that mentions of discussing India abroad can have multiple meanings.