1 February 2024
Sandeep Dhand ( Ludhiana)
In a dramatic turn of events, the state of Jharkhand finds itself embroiled in a political crisis as JMM Legislature Party leader, Champai Soren, submitted a claim to form the government today. The unfolding situation took a complicated twist as former Chief Minister Hemant Soren was sent to judicial custody for one day by the PMLA court. The court is set to decide on the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) 10-day remand request on Friday, while Soren’s lawyers have concurrently filed an application in the Supreme Court, scheduled for tomorrow.
Champai Soren, after meeting with Governor CP Radhakrishnan, expressed urgency, stating, “There is no government in Jharkhand for the last 20 hours; hence, we have requested the Governor to take an immediate decision.” Asserting unity within the JMM-led alliance, Soren emphasized their collective strength, showcased in a video released by the alliance, illustrating the support of 43 MLAs.
However, the political landscape further intensified as Congress Legislature Party Leader Alamgir Alam warned of consequences if the Governor does not invite him to form the government. Alam voiced concerns during the meeting with the Governor, highlighting the potential risk of MLA horse-trading if a swift government formation decision is not made. He pledged to meet the Governor again on Friday afternoon, underlining the gravity of the situation.
In a surprising move, the meeting with the Governor included the presence of RJD MLA Satyanand Bhokta, CPI (ML) MLA Vinod Singh, and MLA Pradeep Yadav, underscoring a broader political spectrum involved in the unfolding drama.
Simultaneously, outside the courtroom, Advocate General Rajeev Ranjan, representing Hemant Soren, vehemently denounced the arrest, alleging a conspiracy to topple the government. Ranjan contended that the case lacked evidence and was driven by malicious intentions. Hemant Soren’s arrest occurred during the process of recording his statement, leading Ranjan to denounce the operation as illegal.
Soren’s arrest transpired on Wednesday night, following a seven-hour interrogation by the ED, culminating in his resignation from the post of Chief Minister. He was subsequently taken to Birsa Munda Central Jail.
The legal battle intensified as an application against Soren’s arrest was filed in the Jharkhand High Court. However, Soren’s legal team, led by prominent lawyers Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi, opted to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court.
The unfolding political and legal drama in Jharkhand has captivated the nation, leaving citizens on the edge of their seats as they await the decisions and developments that will shape the state’s future in the coming days.