Shadow on Soren: On uncertainty over his continuation as Jharkhand CM

Uncertainty over Hemant Soren’s continuation as Chief Minister of Jharkhand Since he is likely to be disqualified as a member of the Legislative Assembly by the Governor; The Governor has got the opinion of the Election Commission of India on the question. Technically speaking, Mr. Soren could have held the post for six months without becoming an MLA. During this time they can also be elected. But apart from that technicality, it is a huge loss for them and the parties that form the ruling coalition in Jharkhand, i.e. JMM, Congress and RJD. The case against him has its roots in a mining lease that he granted himself as Mines Minister in 2021. The BJP complained to the Governor on February 11, 2022 that the Act was in violation of Section 9(a) of the Representation. of the Public Act, 1951. The Governor referred the complaint to the Election Commission of India (ECI) on March 28 for its opinion, as required by law. On 25 August, the ECI wrote to the governor that Mr Soren could be disqualified under section 9(a). Granting himself a mining lease was a shameless act of self-service, abuse of office and breach of trust of the people. One cannot attest to the innocence of his view that such a transparent act of corruption would go unnoticed or—without punishment—his father Shibu Soren’s attempt to go to a bank and deposit the cash he received as a bribe. Reminds me.

Mr. Soren’s suffering cannot end with disqualification. Two PILs against him are pending in the Jharkhand High Court, seeking a probe into the alleged allotment of mining lease to a stone quarry in a 0.88-acre land parcel in Ranchi’s Angara block and funds allegedly routed through some shell companies. Has been. To stay connected with his family members. On June 3, the High Court, while accepting the stability of the PILs, said that they do not suffer from any discrepancy. In separate pleas, the High Court’s decision was challenged by the Chief Minister and the state government in the Supreme Court, which on August 17 reserved its order in the matter and stayed the High Court proceedings. The BJP is waiting to topple the Jharkhand government and has tasted the blood. The arrest in July of three Jharkhand Congress MLAs in West Bengal with huge sums of money, allegedly received for culpability, was a smoking gun. As an MLA facing disqualification proceedings and potentially a corruption probe, Mr Soren’s authority over coalition legislators will be reduced. In this instance of disqualification, it would be an honorable thing for him to resign as Chief Minister. His absence from the central seat of power in the state would be a test for the coalition and its government.