Jharkhand Live: CM Hemant Soren Says ‘Will Fight Till Last Drop of Blood’
The CM dismissed reports of receiving any communication from the ECI or governor on his disqualification as MLA.
Jharkhand Political Crisis: Latest News Updates
(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)
Hemant Soren Disqualification Case Live Updates: With uncertainty looming over his position as the chief minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren met UPA MLAs at his residence in Ranchi on Friday, 26 August, amid recent political developments in the state.
Later in the day, while addressing a function in Latehar, Soren that "satanic forces" were attempting to destabilise his democratically-elected government, but he will fight till the last drop of his blood.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has recommended Soren's disqualification as an MLA to Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais. Now, all eyes and ears are on his decision, which will be announced on Saturday, 27 August.
If the Jharkhand CM is found guilty of holding an office of profit while being a legislator, he will be forced to resign from his office and will lose membership of the Assembly, legal experts said.
Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) said on Thursday that it would move the Supreme Court if Soren is disqualified as an MLA.
Several reports suggest that if Hemant Soren is disqualified, his wife Kalpana Soren is likely to be appointed the chief minister
The Bharatiya Janata Pary has been demanding the resignation of Soren over the controversy
Hemant Soren also took a veiled dig at the BJP, which has moved a plea seeking his disqualification as an MLA, and said, "If you buy constitutional institutions, how will you be able to buy public support?"
Congress minister Rameshwar Oraon said that there was no discussion about resort politics in the Mahagathbandhan MLAs meeting
‘Will Fight Till Last Drop of Blood’: CM Soren
Claiming that "satanic forces" were attempting to destabilise his democratically-elected government, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday asserted that he will fight till the last drop of his blood.
Addressing a government function in Latehar, Soren said he was not worried as he was given the mandate to govern the state by the people and not his opponents.
"Not able to compete with us politically, our opponents are misusing the constitutional institutions. They are using ED, CBI, Lokpal and Income Tax Department to destabilise our government. But we are not worried about it. We have been given this mandate not by the opponents but by the people," he said.
‘No Discussion About Resort Politics’: Congress Minister Rameshwar Oraon
Congress minister Rameshwar Oraon said that there was no discussion about resort politics in the Mahagathbandhan MLAs meeting with CM Hemant Soren, reports said.
CM Soren, MLAs Leave For Netarhat To Attend Reception By Tribals
In the midst of political turmoil, CM Hemant Soren left for Netarhat with a delegations of MLAs on Friday afternoon. The CM has gone to attend a reception on behalf of the local tribals, after the cancellation of the Netarhat Field Firing Range project.
'No Reason For A Delay,' Jharkhand Congress Prez Rajesh Thakur
Speaking to the media, Jharkhand Congress president Rajesh Thakur said, "There is no reason for a delay. The only reason is that no one knows if a decision has been taken or not. Neither the ECI, nor Raj Bhawan has given any statement about this."
"Yesterday we were called to Delhi and told that all the proceedings will be done today. The second day is about to pass, and we have not heard anything yet," he added.
'No Crisis in Government': Senior JMM Leader Vinod Pandey
JMM Senior leader Vinod Pandey, after coming out of the meeting, said that there was no crisis in the government in the past or present.
"The government is running under the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and will continue to do so," Pandey added.
Why Is Soren’s Alleged ‘Office of Profit’ a Problem?
An office of profit is a position which brings the post-holder financial gain, benefit or advantage. In Jharkhand, the allegations are that the mining lease Soren issued to himself had the capacity to bring him financial gain.
Articles 102(1) and 191(1) of India's Constitution bar an MP or MLA from holding any office of profit under the state or central government.
"A person shall not be deemed to hold an office of profit under the government of India or the government of any state by reason only that he is a minister," Article 102(1) states.
It is further barred in the Representation of People Act, 1951.
'MLAs Will Remain in Ranchi': Congress' Alamgir Alam
Congress leader Alamgir Alam, following the meeting at Soren's residence, told ANI, "We have full trust in our MLAs, they all will remain in Ranchi."
Congress' Banna Gupta said,"Our coalition is standing strong. We will meet again in the evening today."
MLA Meeting Ends, All Instructed To Stay in Ranchi
The UPA MLAs meeting at the residence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren has ended. All the MLAs have been instructed to stay in Ranchi. Moreover, reports suggest there will be a meeting of UPA MLAs again in the evening.
What Options Does Hemant Soren Have?
If the Election Commission disqualifies Soren, then the CM’s first option is to go to the Supreme Court against the Election Commission’s move.
If the Election Commission does not ban Hemant Soren from contesting the election, the other option may be that he will have to take a fresh oath and re-form the Cabinet, after which he will have to win Assembly election set to take place in the next six months.
But even if there is a ban on contesting elections, Hemant Soren’s option to save and maintain the government lies with his wife and mother. So if Hemant Soren’s MLA position is taken away immediately, he can make either his mother Rupi Soren or wife Kalpana Soren the chief minister.
For this option, Soren will have to reconcile with the Congress.
Hemant Soren's Conversation With The Quint
In an exclusive interview with The Quint, Hemant Soren answered questions on issues ranging from mining scam to IAS Pooja Singhal case, and also touched upon the Gyanvapi mosque controversy.
CM Soren Convenes Meeting With UPA MLAs
CM Hemant Soren convened the meeting of all the MLAs of Jharkhand's Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) at his residence, the report said.
‘MLAs Being Taken to Chhattisgarh,’ Claims BJP MP Nishikant Dubey
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, on Twitter, claimed, "According to sources in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, the MLAs are being taken to Baramuda in Chhattisgarh in three buses."
"Along with BJP and agencies, I will keep providing information about the JMM now," he added.
'Congress Will Support JMM's Decision': Party Working President Bandhu Tirkey
Jharkhand Congress working president Bandhu Tirkey said, "Whatever decision the JMM takes, as the major party of the alliance, the Congress will support it."
"The top leadership of Congress has instructed us for the same:
What is Hemant Soren's Situation?
A new political row has erupted in Jharkhand, with Chief Minister Hemant Soren facing a crisis after the Election Commission of India (ECI) sent its opinion to Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais, reportedly recommending his disqualification as an MLA.
Amid rapid developments, click here for a lowdown on the Jharkhand CM's situation.
Which Parties Form Jharkhand’s Mahagathbandhan?
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is largest party in the state assembly with 30 MLAs, as part of the United Progressive Alliance. The Jharkhand Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) is further composed of 15 MLAs from the Congress and a single legislator from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
While the Congress initially had 18 MLAs in the assembly, three legislators – Irfan Ansari (Jamtara), Naman Bixal Kongari (Kolebira) and Rajesh Kachchap (Khijri) – were suspended after they were caught with cash worth Rs 49 lakh in Bengal in July.
‘Will Follow Whatever Prez Sonia Gandhi Says’: Congress Leader Banna Gupta
Jharkhand minister and Congress leader Banna Gupta, speaking to ANI, said, "All is well. Our government is in majority. We will follow whatever our Congress president Sonia Gandhi will say."
‘Comfortably Enjoying Majority,’ Claims JMM Leader Supriyo Bhattacharya
Senior JMM leader Supriyo Bhattacharya said, "We have more than 50 MLAs. A number of BJP leaders are also in touch with us," news agency ANI reported.
Bhattacharya added, "We are comfortably enjoying the majority and whenever the governor asks, we will prove our majority."
MLAs Arrive at Soren's Residence
UPA MLAs begin arriving at Hemant Soren's residence for a meeting with the Jharkhand CM amid recent political developments in the state.
Soren Calls for UPA MLAs Meet
CM Hemant Soren called a meeting of UPA MLAs at his residence in Ranchi on Friday, amid recent political developments in the state, according to news agency ANI.
JMM to Move Supreme Court
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) said on Thursday, 25 August, that it would move the Supreme Court if Soren is disqualified as an MLA.
He also said that the party would take legal recourse if Soren is disqualified as a legislator. "Options are open to us. We will move the Supreme Court," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Governor Likely To a Take Call on Soren's Disqualification
Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais may take a call on the Election Commission's view on "disqualification" of CM Hemant Soren as an MLA on Friday, 26 August, Raj Bhavan sources said.
Background
After the ECI sent its opinion to the governor regarding the plea for Soren's disqualification, a few ministers from his government arrived at the chief minister's residence along with the advocate general, news agency ANI reported.
The chief minister's office had earlier said that it had received no communication regarding the report recommending his disqualification.
"No communication in this regard has been received by CMO from either ECI or Governor," the Jharkhand CMO said.
The ECI's opinion was sent to the Jharkhand Raj Bhavan in a sealed cover on Thursday.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)