Champai Soren Will Take Oath As The Jharkhand Chief Minister Today (image-twitter/champaisoren)
Champai Soren, a veteran leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) will take oath as the chief minister of the state on Friday. JMM leader, the loyalist of Hemant Soren, and the state Transport minister was invited by the Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Thursday to Raj Bhavan to form the government.
In a letter addressed to the MLAs of the ruling Mahagathbandhan in Jharkhand, Hemant Soren declared Champai Soren as the supremo of the JMM legislative party. The development came 24 hours after the arrest of his predecessor Hemant Soren in an alleged money laundering case.
Champai Soren has been mandated to demonstrate his majority in a floor test, which will be held in the next 10 days, reports Hindustan Times.
The governor called Champai Soren and Congress leader Alamgir Alam and handed over the letter to form the next government in Jharkhand.
In fear of escalation of the political crisis in the state, Champai, heading a delegation of the JMM-led coalition, called on the governor over the government formation. “There is no government for 18 hours. There is a situation of confusion. Being the constitutional head, we expect you will soon take steps for the formation of a popular government,” read a letter handed over to the governor.
The ruling JMM-Congress-RJD alliance of Jharkhand has 47 MLAs in the 81-member house, where the majority mark is 41. Currently, 43 MLAs are backing Champai Soren, reports NDTV.
While BJP has 25 MLAs and the All-Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) has three. The rest are divided between the NCP and a Left party and there are three independent MLAs.
The slim majority has given rise to concern about the ruling alliance. However, after the arrest of Hemant Soren, the leaders insisted that they have the numbers to form the government. “We have submitted the report with 43 MLAs in our support. We expect the number will reach 46-47… so there is no problem. Our “gathbandhan” (alliance), is very strong”, Champai said.
Chamapi was also elected as the leader of the legislative party of JMM shortly after Hemant Soren’s arrest.
The former chief minister of Jharkhand tendered his resignation in the wake of ED action arresting the latter in an alleged money slander case. The 48-year-old has moved to the Supreme Court challenging the arrest and the matter is posted for hearing on Friday.
