Amid ongoing political imbroglio in Jharkhand, today 32 legislators of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) fold were shifted to Chhattisgarh Capital Raipur in an attempt to keep the flock intact. Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that the shifting of legislators was a part of UPA’s strategy to thwart any attempt of horse trading by the Opposition in the State.
“Ye koi naya paripati nahi hai, Har paristhiti ka samna karne ke liye satta paksh taiyaar hai.. ek ranniti ke tahat plan banta hai …usi ranniti ka chhota sa jhalak aapne pehle bhi dekha aur aaj bhi dekha. Aage bhi aap kai chizon ko dekhenge ki raajya me shdyantrakariyon ko jawab satta paksh badi tarike se dega… (This is not a new tradition. The ruling coalition is ready to face any situation. Plans are made on a strategy and you have seen a glimpse of the strategy earlier also and today also. In future too you will see that the ruling coalition will give a befitting reply to the conspirators in the State),” said the CM coing out of the Airport.
On a question as to when he will leave the State, the CM replied, “Main bataunga iske bare me. (I will get back to you on this.)”
Notably, the UPA legislators started reaching Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s official residence since morning with bag and baggage. After a brief meeting and lunch they were taken to Ranchi Airport in two luxury buses. CM Hemant Soren and few ministers of the Cabinet also accompanied the MLAs to the airport. However, sources said that six Ministers of JMM quota in the State were among the 17 legislators, who did not go to Raipur today.
Sources revealed that the MLAs will stay at Mayfair Lake Resort in Raipur, where arrangements have been made much earlier. The ruling party in Chhattisgarh Congress has made all arrangements in advance they said.
Among the legislators, who did not board the Indigo flight to Raipur included CM Hemant Soren, his brother Basant Soren, Lobin Hembrom, Joba Manjhi, Champai Soren, Jagrnath Mahto, Hafijul Hassan, Mithilesh Thakur and Savita Mahto (recuperating after surgery). Sources said that Basant Sorena and Lobin Hembrom have been asked to camp in Dumka in the wake of Ankita murder case. From the Congress’ fold Pradeep Yadav did not go today due to ill health, Mamta Devi is recuperating after delivery and three legislators, who are trapped in cash recovery case are in Kolkata.
Sources said that State Congress in-charge Avinash Pandey, JPCC president Rajesh Thakur and four Congress quota Ministers will return to Ranchi on Wednesday as the CM has called a Cabinet meeting on September 1.
Notably, the Governor House is still silent on the Election Commission letter sent to the Governor in the office of profit case of CM Hemant Soren. The EC has also reserved its order in a similar case against Soren’s younger brother and JMM MLA from Dumka Bansant Soren. However, taking a precautionary measure the MLAs have been shifted to Raipur, said sources.
It’s also pertinent to mention that the Speaker’s Court in Jharkhand Assembly today completed hearing an ant-defection case against BJP Legislature Party leader in the House Babulal Marandi and has reserved its order. Looking at the timing of the hearing, political experts said that the Speaker’s court decision can come any day after Governor takes his call in CM Hemant Soren’s case. If Hemant Soren and Basant Soren’s membership of the House ends, the Speaker may disqualify Babulal Marandi as a member of the House, he said.
Amid hullabaloo, the ruling coalition is a bit relaxed given the fact that it has enough MLAs to prove majority in the House. In the 81-member House the JMM-Congress-RJD combine has 49 MLAs, while the BJP has 26 MLAs.
