'Modi a responsive, sensitive PM': BJP allies counter Hemant Soren

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was trending on Twitter from late on Thursday night for an unusual reason. Soren had tweeted about a phone call he had with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which he, effectively, described as a monologue.

Soren tweeted, "Today the respected Prime Minister called. He only spoke his 'Mann Ki Baat'. It would have been better if he would have talked business and heard the issues." The reference to 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi's monthly radio address to the nation, evoked expected emotions among the prime minister's detractors, who said the incident highlighted Modi's focus on 'one way' communication.

Not surprisingly, the BJP responded with indignation. BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance (the alliance of NDA partners in the northeast), lashed out at Soren. Sarma tweeted Soren had lowered the dignity of the chief minister's office.

On Friday morning, Modi received backing from chief ministers of two NDA-ruled states in the northeast. Zoramthanga, Chief Minister of Mizoram, shared Soren's tweet and claimed Modi was "active, attentive... very responsive". Zoramthanga tweeted, "We are really fortunate to have an active, attentive and a very responsive Prime Minister like Shri @narendramodi ji in times like this. I personally find it quite comforting, getting his calls; inquiring about my state's Covid-19 situation, forest fires, refugee problems etc."

Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland, tweeted "In my experience as a Chief Minister for several tenure, Honourable @PMOIndia Shri @narendramodi has always been sensitive to the concerns of the states, particularly of the Northeast states. I disagree with Shri @HemantSorenJMM and I hope retracts his statement."