The News Freedom
Ranchi, February 2
Jharkhand witnessed a dramatic shift in power as Champai Soren was sworn in as the new Chief Minister on Friday, just two days after the arrest of Hemant Soren by the Enforcement Directorate. This unexpected turn of events throws the state into a period of political flux, with a crucial floor test looming within the next 10 days.
The 67-year-old Soren, a six-term legislator and former Transport Minister, garnered the support of 43 MLAs from the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) alliance. Two MLAs, one each from Congress and RJD, also took oath alongside him, offering temporary stability amidst the crisis.
Soren’s rise, however, came amidst internal JMM turmoil. Whispers of a power struggle within the party, fueled by speculation about Hemant Soren’s wife potentially taking the helm, complicated the situation. This uncertainty fueled concerns about the BJP attempting to form a government despite lacking a majority.
To prevent any poaching attempts, the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance swiftly whisked their MLAs away from Jharkhand, relocating them to Congress-ruled Telangana. This move highlights the fluid state of Jharkhand’s political landscape, where alliances and loyalties remain uncertain.