Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: Champai Soren tendered his resignation as Jharkhand’s Chief Minister to the governor on Wednesday, making way for Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) executive president Hemant Soren to stake his claim to form the new government.
“A few days ago, I was made the Chief Minister and given the responsibility of the state. Now that Hemant Soren is back, our alliance has decided to choose him as our leader. Hence, I have resigned from the post of Chief Minister,” Champai Soren told reporters after stepping down.
The 67-year-old JMM leader took office on February 2, after Hemant Soren had to resign ahead of his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged land scam case. Hemant Soren was released from jail on June 28 after nearly five months, following a Jharkhand High Court decision to grant him bail in a money laundering case linked to the land scam.
“The CM (Champai Soren) has explained everything… We will provide all the details. We have followed all procedures,” Hemant Soren told reporters after meeting the governor to stake his claim for forming the government.
After his release, Hemant Soren claimed he was a victim of a conspiracy. “I was falsely implicated. A conspiracy was hatched against me, forcing me to spend five months in jail. I respect the judiciary. The court has delivered its order, and I am out on bail. However, the judicial process is long,” he stated.
The Jharkhand High Court noted in its ruling that despite the allegations made by the Enforcement Directorate, there was no likelihood of the petitioner committing a similar nature of offense. Soren had been summoned multiple times by the ED, questioned at his residence, and subsequently arrested on January 31.
