Amid the ongoing political crisis in Jharkhand, Chief Minister Hemant Soren shifted 32 Legislators of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) on Tuesday to Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur in an attempt to keep the flock intact.
Soren said that the shifting of the Legislators was a part of the UPA’s strategy to thwart any attempt of horse-trading by the Opposition BJP in the State. He has called a meeting of his Cabinet Ministers on September 1.
“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 and today also. In the future, too, you will see that the ruling coalition will give a befitting reply to the conspirators in the State,” said the CM coming out of the Ranchi Airport.
On when he will also leave the State, the CM replied, “I will get back to you on this.”
The UPA Legislators started reaching Soren’s official residence since morning with bags and baggage. After a brief meeting and lunch, they left for Ranchi Airport in two luxury buses. Soren and some Ministers of his Cabinet also accompanied the MLAs to the airport. However, sources said that six Ministers of the JMM quota in the State were among the 17 Legislators, who did not go to Raipur.
Sources revealed that the MLAs will stay at Mayfair Lake Resort in Raipur. The ruling Congress in Chhattisgarh has made all arrangements in advance.
Among the JMM(S) 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 Soren and Lobin Hembrom have been asked to camp in Dumka in the wake of the Ankita murder case.
From the Congress’ fold, Pradeep Yadav did not go due to ill-health, Mamata Devi is recuperating after delivery and three Legislators, who are trapped in a 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.