VIJAY DEO JHA
Ranchi, Aug 26: The younger scion of the first JMM family and MLA Basant Soren wants his mother Rupi Soren as Chief Minister in case Hemant Soren has to resign owing to his disqualification under section 9A of the People’s Representation Act 1955.
A very senior leader of the ruling alliance confided Rupi Soren may be the replacement of Hemant Soren. “Yah sambhav hai ki family mataji ke name par sahmat hogi. Guruji (Shibu Soren) ka mamla kam lagta hai,” said the leader.
Hemant Soren would naturally prefer the Chief Minister’s post to stay within the family hence there are three top names under consideration namely wife Kalpana Soren, father and party patriarch Shibu Soren and mother Rupi Soren. Kalpana Soren is said to be the top contender and the first choice of Hemant Soren for this post. However, the entire UPA will unanimously agree to the name of Shibu Soren who however is ailing.
Within the Soren family, well placed sources claimed that Basant Soren wants his mother for this post. Rupi Soren is neither occupying any post in the party and neither the government nor she is an elected representative.
Basant Soren is the JMM MLA from Dumka and he is close to his mother. Insiders said that he would be much more comfortable in a government headed by his mother. Basant Soren is also facing ECI hearing where the BJP alleged him for misusing his position for pecuniary gains. His hearing is scheduled on August 29.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is understood to have sent its opinion to Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais that under section 9 A of the People’s Representation Act Hemant Soren stands disqualified. Hemant Soren availed stone mining lease in his name while he was the chief minister and mining department minister which is case fir case of the office of the profit. However, the Raj Bhavan so far has officially maintained it has not received any communication from the ECI.
As the threat of disqualification is looming over Hemant Soren, the JMM led UPA alliance will have to elect its leader. But the succession exercise is riddled with various complexities which Hemant Soren JMM and his alliance partners are trying to sort out. Twice marathon meetings of the JMM legislative fold and the UPA were held on Thursday and Friday.
