Will Soren step down as CM? Appointment with Governor sparks speculations

New Delhi: While Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s fate keeps hanging in balance over possible disqualification as the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), the state is witnessing fresh burst of political activity.
CM Hemant Soren has called a meeting of its alliance partners and also sought an appointment with Governor Ramesh Bias this evening.

Reports suggest that Hemant Soren may call on the Governor at 4 PM today and may also put in his papers, however, party has refrained from confirming or commenting on the speculation.

CM Soren also held a meeting with 4 Congress ministers, who were called back to Ranchi from Chattisgarh resort on Wednesday. In its meeting with alliance partners, the JMM-led government is likely to firm up strategy about staving threat to govt and also counter ‘Operatus Lotus’ in the state, as claimed by some.

Soren government found itself in a flux after it emerged that Jharkhand Governor has got recommendation from Election Commission about disqualification of Hemant Soren over latter’s involvement in the office-for-profit scam.

According to reports, Soren may hand over his resignation during meeting with Governor and may make fresh bid to form government in the state. If he is not declared unfit to contest polls for 6 years, he can remain the Chief Minister. For that, he will have to get re-elected as MLA in next 6 months.

JMM and BJP are engaged in fierce face-off over Soren’s purported disqualification from Assembly. Accusing the BJP of hatching conspiracy to topple its government, the JMM claimed that the Raj Bhawan is being ‘forced’ to keep the decision in abeyance as this will give time to BJP to indulge in horse-trading. Contesting the charge, the BJP hit out at Soren government for facilitating picnic & holidays for its MLAs while leaving the state’s law & order in shambles.