After his surprise appearance in Ranchi on Tuesday around 2:30 PM from being declared “missing” in Delhi since 7 AM on Monday, Chief Minister Hemant Soren and ruling parties’ legislators seem to be prepared for any possibility in the wake of the Enforcement Directorate’s questioning of Soren on January 31. Soon after reaching his residence in Ranchi on Tuesday CM Hemant Soren chaired an informal meeting with ministers of his cabinet and party MLAs. Notably, CM’s wife Kalpana Soren was also present in the meeting.

The CM after paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Morhabadi ground chaired the legislature party meeting with the legislators at his residence in the evening. MLAs from Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, RJD and Congress were present in this meeting led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren. JMM supremo Shibu Soren was also reported to be present in this meeting.

Political circles are abuzz that amidst the ongoing political crisis in Jharkhand and the fear of arrest of Soren, discussions were held on the name of his wife Kalpana Soren as the next Chief Minister of the state. ED will interrogate Chief Minister Hemant Soren on January 31. There is a fear that the agency may take him into custody. In such a situation, to avoid any kind of political crisis, Kalpana Soren's name can be put forward as the successor of Hemant Soren.

According to information received from sources, the ruling MLAs have been asked not to leave Ranchi. On Monday itself, all the MLAs were asked to come to Ranchi with bags and baggage. All the MLAs stayed in the Circuit House. When the Chief Minister reached Ranchi on Tuesday, the MLAs were asked to reach the CM residence on Kanke Road. It is being said that in this meeting, the Chief Minister will propose the name of Kalpana Soren and the consent of the MLAs will be taken on it. However, in the meantime, Kalpana Soren's name will be announced as the successor only if there is a political crisis.

Notably, when the Election Commission's envelope regarding the Chief Minister in the mining lease case came to Raj Bhavan, there was speculation that his membership would be cancelled. Even then Kalpana Soren's name had come up as the successor. Even when Gandey MLA Dr. Sarfaraz Ahmed resigned on 31 December 2023, Kalpana Soren's name was in the media. However, in the situation of political crisis, the names of Basant Soren and Champai Soren can also be put forward as successors.