Ranchi| The Central Election Commission has recommended the cancellation of the assembly membership of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. It has been decided that he will have to resign from the post of Chief Minister. He had taken the mines on lease in his name while being the CM. Former Chief Minister Raghuvar Das and the BJP had written a written complaint to Governor Ramesh Bais calling it a violation of the Office of Profit and Representation of the People Act. On this, the Governor had sought the opinion of the Central Election Commission. After hearing the issue, the Election Commission has recommended the cancellation of Hemant Soren’s assembly membership in its intention sent to the Governor.
It is being told that Hemant Soren’s assembly membership will end as soon as the Governor’s order is issued on the instructions of the Election Commission. In such a situation, he will have to resign. Since the coalition headed by Hemant Soren has a majority in the assembly, so after his resignation, he can stake claim to form the government afresh and become the chief minister again. Governor Ramesh Bais is currently in Delhi and is returning to Ranchi on Thursday afternoon. An order in this regard can be issued as soon as he comes to Ranchi.
It is not clear whether Hemant Soren has been disqualified from contesting elections. If the commission recommended his disqualification, it would be difficult for him to continue as chief minister.
In the name of Hemant Soren, the lease of a stone quarry was allotted in Angada, Ranchi, which he later surrendered, but on the complaint of the BJP regarding this matter, the Central Election Commission heard several rounds. The complainant BJP and Chief Minister Hemant Soren both gave their respective sides. On August 18, the Election Commission had reserved the decision after completing the hearing.
Hemant Soren was elected MLA from two assembly constituencies – Dumka and Barhait assembly constituency in the year 2019 elections. Later he resigned from the Dumka assembly constituency and decided to continue as MLA from Barhait. Later, his brother Basant Soren emerged victorious as a JMM candidate in the by-election to the Dumka assembly seat vacated by his resignation. Basant Soren is also accused of taking mines lease while being an MLA and a hearing in this matter is also going on in the Election Commission. The commission has fixed August 28 as the next date of hearing in this case. Since Basant Soren’s case is also similar to Hemant Soren’s, his membership is also believed to be known.
