I was not hiding: Soren

Soren claimed that he was never in hiding but was 8216;8216;interacting8217;8217; with people in villages and the jungles of Jharkhand. He also accused BJP of hatching a conspiracy to create a Gujarat-like situation in Jharkhand before the Assembly elections by digging out a 30-year-old case against him.

8216;8216;The fascist BJP through media branded me absconding, missing and going in hiding. But revolutionaries never seek escape route. I was making the people aware of the BJP8217;s conspiracy,8217;8217; he said.

8216;8216;The BJP thought my arrest would create unrest in the Santhal areas. But I have nipped in the bud,8217;8217; he said.

Soren said he always respected the judiciary and would follow the high court directions. He, however, said the date of his appearing before a Jamtara court would be decided after consulting lawyers. Soren also appreciated the PM8217;s role during the Opposition attack on him. 8216;8216;He is a nice person. He asked me to resign while assuring that he is with me,8217;8217; he said.

Asked what suggestion RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav had given, the tribal leader quipped Yadav was his friend and they spoke on the issue.