In a development which can bring much embarrassment to the State Government, Governor Ramesh Bais made a distance from Statehood function. Earlier, Bais was made Chief Guest of statehood function.
Bais is the second constitutional head who has maintained distance with the statehood programme. Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu who was scheduled to grace the programme as the chief guest, but at the office of the President made the last minute change on Monday and decided not to attend the programme. Murmu reached Ranchi in the morning and drove to Ulihatu (Khunti) the birth place of Birsa Munda participating at Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.
November 15 is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas or Tribal Pride Day to honour tribal freedom fighter, Birsa Munda. On November 10, 2021, the Union Cabinet declared November 15 as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ marking the birth anniversary of the revered leader and saluting his contributions to India’s freedom movement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated a museum in Ranchi in memory of Birsa Munda also known as Dharti Aaba.
Not only President and Governor, Union tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda who too was to participate at statehood function skipped. None of the BJP leaders were present at the statehood function.
The development has taken place at a time when the Chief Minister Hemant Soren is facing heat of the money laundering investigation in the illegal stone mining scam. The Enforcement Directorate summoned him to join the probe on November 17. Besides, the state government is at loggerhead with the Governor in the matter related to disqualification of Chief Minister Hemant Soren for availing stone mining lease.
Soren was also soft on Centre as he refrained from attacking the Centre directly. CM Soren's speech focused on highlighting the welfare schemes launched by his government. Soren avoided making political statements concerning the money laundering probe against him and the issue of his disqualification which is under consideration of the Governor Ramesh Bais.
In his 20 minutes speech, Hemant Soren mainly spoke about his agenda for development and empowerment of tribals, Dalits, OBC and minorities. He said that his government passed the bill for Sarna code for tribals and 1932 as the cut-off-year for domicile of the state.
But what widely caught the attention of political pundits was the presence of Hemant Soren’s wife Kalpana Soren on well decked sprawling dais where no JMM minister got the place. Her presence has kicked off speculation that in case of disqualification or the CM is forced to step down due to money laundering probe, Kalpana Soren will replace him.