Suspense over Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s disqualification as EC sends recommendation to governor: Key points | India News
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NEW DELHI: The political fate of Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren hangs in the balance a day after the Election Commission recommended his disqualification as an MLA in the illegal mining case.
All eyes are now on Jharkhand governor Ramesh Bais, who is yet to take a call on the EC’s opinion. If the governor decides to notify the EC’s order, Soren will have to vacate the chief minister’s post.
According to ANI, the governor will take a call on the matter on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission’s move against Soren has set the state abuzz with political activity with the ruling JMM-Congress calling a meeting of their MLAs on Friday.
Here’s a round-up of the latest developments …
Suspense over Soren’s disqualification
According to Raj Bhavan sources, the EC is believed to have told the governor that Soren should be “disqualified” as a legislator for violating electoral norms.
The Election Commission sent its opinion to Bais on August 26 on a plea seeking that Soren be disqualified as an MLA for violating electoral norms by extending a mining lease to himself.
The opinion was sent to the Jharkhand Raj Bhavan in a sealed cover.
The BJP, the petitioner in the case, has sought Soren’s disqualification for violating Section 9(A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which deals with disqualification for government contracts.
‘Soren will stay CM till 2024’
Meanwhile, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) exuded confidence that Soren will remain as the chief minister till 2024.
The party also said it will move the Supreme Court if Soren is disqualified as an MLA.
On Thursday, Soren had reacted strongly to EC’s disqualification letter and alleged “blatant misuse of constitutional authorities and public agencies” by the BJP.
“It seems that BJP leaders, including a BJP MP, and his puppet journalists have themselves drafted the EC report, which is otherwise always given in a sealed cover,” Soren said in a statement issued by his secretariat.
Soren was referring to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. Dubey was the one who claimed that the EC letter has reached the governor and added that he predicted that the same will happen within August.
Crucial meeting at CM’s residence
Amid the crisis situation in Jharkhand, a crucial meeting of the UPA was held at the CM’s residence on Friday to chalk out a strategy with over 40 legislators reaching there, sources said.
In the rapidly changing political scenario, ‘resort politics’ may come into play in the state to keep the numbers intact, according to some insiders present at the meeting.
A few insiders from the Congresswhich is a crucial ally of the ruling coalition, told news agency PTI on the condition of anonymity that ring-fencing MLAs by parking them in a resort in a ‘friendly state’ such as West Bengal or Bihar is an option, which was mulled as a potential poaching threat from the BJP.
However, they said a decision on the future course of action will be taken if Governor Ramesh Bais communicates to them on the Election Commission’s ruling about a possible disqualification of the CM as an MLA for violating electoral norms.
The MLAs are expected to hold another meeting in the evening, they said.
(With inputs from agencies)
All eyes are now on Jharkhand governor Ramesh Bais, who is yet to take a call on the EC’s opinion. If the governor decides to notify the EC’s order, Soren will have to vacate the chief minister’s post.
According to ANI, the governor will take a call on the matter on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission’s move against Soren has set the state abuzz with political activity with the ruling JMM-Congress calling a meeting of their MLAs on Friday.
Here’s a round-up of the latest developments …
Suspense over Soren’s disqualification
According to Raj Bhavan sources, the EC is believed to have told the governor that Soren should be “disqualified” as a legislator for violating electoral norms.
The Election Commission sent its opinion to Bais on August 26 on a plea seeking that Soren be disqualified as an MLA for violating electoral norms by extending a mining lease to himself.
The opinion was sent to the Jharkhand Raj Bhavan in a sealed cover.
The BJP, the petitioner in the case, has sought Soren’s disqualification for violating Section 9(A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which deals with disqualification for government contracts.
‘Soren will stay CM till 2024’
Meanwhile, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) exuded confidence that Soren will remain as the chief minister till 2024.
The party also said it will move the Supreme Court if Soren is disqualified as an MLA.
On Thursday, Soren had reacted strongly to EC’s disqualification letter and alleged “blatant misuse of constitutional authorities and public agencies” by the BJP.
“It seems that BJP leaders, including a BJP MP, and his puppet journalists have themselves drafted the EC report, which is otherwise always given in a sealed cover,” Soren said in a statement issued by his secretariat.
Soren was referring to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. Dubey was the one who claimed that the EC letter has reached the governor and added that he predicted that the same will happen within August.
Crucial meeting at CM’s residence
Amid the crisis situation in Jharkhand, a crucial meeting of the UPA was held at the CM’s residence on Friday to chalk out a strategy with over 40 legislators reaching there, sources said.
In the rapidly changing political scenario, ‘resort politics’ may come into play in the state to keep the numbers intact, according to some insiders present at the meeting.
A few insiders from the Congresswhich is a crucial ally of the ruling coalition, told news agency PTI on the condition of anonymity that ring-fencing MLAs by parking them in a resort in a ‘friendly state’ such as West Bengal or Bihar is an option, which was mulled as a potential poaching threat from the BJP.
However, they said a decision on the future course of action will be taken if Governor Ramesh Bais communicates to them on the Election Commission’s ruling about a possible disqualification of the CM as an MLA for violating electoral norms.
The MLAs are expected to hold another meeting in the evening, they said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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