Jharkhand Ready For Floor Test Today; JMM-Congress MLAs Back In Ranchi

Around 40 MLAs of the ruling JMM-led coalition ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in Jharkhand, who were camping in Hyderabad, returned to the state on Sunday (February 4) to attend the crucial trust vote on February 5. After landing at Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi, legislators exuded confidence to win the trust vote in the assembly on Monday.

“Our MLAs are united… We have the support of 48 to 50 legislators,” Minister Alamgir Alam said.

JMM lawmaker Mithilesh Thakur also asserted that the JMM-led coalition will sail through the trust vote. “Many BJP legislators are also in support of the alliance in the state,” he claimed.

The MLAs were sent to a private resort in Shamirpet, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, amid ‘poaching fears’ after Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Champai Soren took over as the chief minister following Hemant Soren’s arrest.

The alliance, between the JMM, Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has 47 MLAs in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly and is supported from outside by the lone CPIML (L) legislator. The BJP and its allies have 29 MLAs.

While staking claim to form the government, Champai Soren had the support of 43 MLAs. “We expect that the number will reach 46-47 so there is no problem. Our ‘gathbandhan’ is very strong,” he said at the time.

Unless something drastic happens, the JMM government is expected to meet the majority mark of 41.

All’s Not Well In JMM

With just a day to trust vote, the JMM is busy keeping its flock together. As per media reports, one of the legislators of the party is off the grid and is to skip the floor test on Monday.

Another MLA, Lobin Hembrom, on Sunday agreed to ‘conditionally’ support CM Champai Soren-led government. After a thorough discussion with JMM chief Shibu Soren, Hembrom outlined several demands, including prohibition of liquor sales and stricter laws for the protection of forests and water conservation, that must be met for his backing of the government.

Hembrom, who is known for his rebel remarks against Hemant Soren and his party, also called for the strict enforcement of the Chota Nagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act among other things.

The MLA from Borio seat in Sahibganj district, Hembrom, also questioned the party’s decision of resorting to the ‘resort politics’ and said, “What was the need to go there (Hyderabad)? If we are united then we should stay here.”

He also claimed that wrong advice led to Hemant Soren’s arrest by the ED. “Hemant Soren repeatedly ignored my advice and eventually landed in jail… he has always been surrounded by wrong advisors,” Hembrom told reporters.

He squarely blamed Hemant Soren’s personal and media advisors, besides advisors from Jharkhand Mukti Morcha for his plight.

Hemant Soren Allowed To Take Part In Floor Test

A special court in Ranchi has allowed former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren to participate in the trust vote in the state assembly on February 5.

Jharkhand was plunged into uncertainty after Hemant Soren resigned as chief minister on Wednesday night, shortly before he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case linked to an alleged land fraud.

Despite Champai being immediately elected as JMM legislative party leader and staking claim after Hemant’s resignation, governor CP Radhakrishnan did not invite him to form the new government till late Thursday night. This led to speculation to swirl about possible “poaching” by the BJP.

Soren was remanded to ED custody for five days by the court on Friday.

‘BJP Framed Hemant’

CM Champai Soren on Sunday accused the BJP of framing his predecessor Hemant Soren in false cases to continue the loot of minerals from the state.

Addressing a party workers’ rally on the occasion of the 52nd foundation day of the JMM at the Golf Ground in Dhanbad, Champai Soren also alleged that the BJP and outsiders were engaged in looting minerals of the state for 19 years in the state.

“When Hemant Soren came to power (in 2019) and stopped them from doing so, they framed him in false cases,” the CM claimed.

“Hemant Soren had initiated steps to ensure the rights of tribal through 1932 Khatiyan based domicile policy and 75 per cent job reservation for local youths in private companies. The BJP could not digest these and they used central agencies against him,” he alleged.

Making 1932 the cut-off year for the domicile policy will help descendants of those, who were living in present-day Jharkhand before that year, avail benefits in various schemes and get government jobs.