Chief Minister Champai Soren today resigned after legislators from the INDIA bloc in the State unanimously chose former Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Executive President Hemant Soren as their new legislature party leader.
Champai Soren, accompanied by Hemant Soren, Jharkhand Congress in-charge Ghulam Ahmed Mir, State Congress President Rajesh Thakur, Minister from RJD quota Satyanand Bhokta, and Congress MLA Pradeep Yadav and CPI ML legislator Binod Singh, visited Raj Bhawan on Wednesday afternoon to submit his resignation.
Simultaneously, former CM Hemant Soren put forward his claim to form a new government in the state. The leaders presented Governor CP Radhakrishnan with a letter of support signed by most legislators of the INDI Alliance.
After leaving Raj Bhawan, Champai Soren stated, “Today I have submitted my resignation to the Governor as we have elected Hemant Soren as our new leader. The decision reflects the sentiments of the alliance’s legislators.”
Health Minister Banna Gupta confirmed that Champai Soren had resigned and that Hemant Soren had requested the Governor to schedule the swearing-in ceremony. The Governor has accepted Champai Soren’s resignation and is expected to call Hemant Soren for the oath ceremony on July 4.
This development follows Hemant Soren being granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court on June 28, after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged land scam case on January 31. Hemant Soren had resigned on January 31 before his arrest, leading to Champai Soren being sworn in as a temporary Chief Minister on February 2.
With assembly elections scheduled for November 2024 in Jharkhand, the ruling INDI Alliance aims to use the upcoming four months for election preparations.
Hemant Soren is set to become the Chief Minister of Jharkhand for the third time, having previously taken office in 2013 and 2019.
Notably, Champai Soren might take on a new position within the INDIA bloc, potentially as the chairman of the coordination committee or as the executive president of the JMM.
In the Jharkhand State Assembly, the INDIA bloc holds a majority with 45 seats, strengthened by recent electoral victories. The BJP, now with 24 seats, saw its numbers decrease as two of its legislators won parliamentary seats.
Kalpana Soren, Hemant Soren's wife, has emerged as a significant figure in JMM politics after achieving a decisive win in a recent bye-election. Her victory in the Gandey constituency highlighted the family's sustained influence amidst changing political dynamics.
Sita Soren, Hemant Soren's estranged sister-in-law and former JMM member, criticized the leadership change, calling it superficial. "Changing the CM's face will not yield any benefit," she stated, reflecting ongoing political rivalry in the state.
With preparations in motion for the next electoral contest, Hemant Soren's return to office marks a crucial moment in Jharkhand's political landscape, aiming to solidify support ahead of the upcoming state polls.
