Jharkhand political crisis: With delay in Champai Soren's swearing-in, Congress sends its MLAs to 'safe place'
Champai Soren
Political crisis in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand seems to be deepening further.The Indian National Congress (INC) on Thursday (Feb 1) tookits MLAs to what is being reported as 'safe' place to prevent their defection to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
On Wednesday (January 31), Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren resigned from his postafter being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate. Hours later, he namedChampai Soren as his successor, who also enjoys supportfrom his party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLAs. However, he is yet to be sworn-in as the chief minister of the state.
Meanwhile, theCongress has chosen to sequester its MLAs in anticipation of BJPbreak unity of JMM legislative party.
Watch | India: Hemant Soren arrested by ED in land scam money laundering probe
Congress party in-charge for Jharkhand Ghulam Ahmad Mir alleged that when it comes to BJP allies, the swearing-in ceremony is held within hours but in case of JMM, the ceremony has not been held despite a letter of support being submitted to the state governor.
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"In the case of Nitish Kumar, he took oath just five hours after resigning. In Jharkhand's case, despite having a majority, they have not sworn in the chief minister. This raises suspicion. The governor has the ‘demand paper’. We want the governor to make a decision fast. New chief minister must be sworn in, the government must be formed," said Mir as quoted by Hindustan Times.
About Congress MLAs in the state legislative assembly, he reportedly said that they were at a safe place.
Also Read | India: Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren reacts after arrest, says 'it's a break, won't accept defeat'
"Many MLAs can be soft targets. We wouldn't have needed to do this if the governor had sworn in the new chief minister. We took a safe side based of our assessment of his intentions. We have not kept our MLAs in the open, we have kept the MLAs at a safe place," Mir added.
Also Read | Jharkhand Crisis: Who is Champai Soren? Tribal leader popular as ‘Jharkhand’s Tiger’ to be next CM
Meanwhile, Hemant Soren's lawyer hasmoved the Supreme Court of India against his arrest by ED. His legal team at first, had approached Jharkhand High Court but on Thursday, it withdrew plea before the high court and approached the Supreme Court.
(With inputs from agencies)