MANISH GUPTA
Ranchi, Aug 25: Jharkhand Congress President Rajesh Thakur on Thursday said that Governor Ramesh Bais may take time to ponder over the opinion sent by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and is less likely to give his judgement today.
“The Election Commission only gives its opinion and not the judgement. The Governor decides on the judgement based on the opinion and in all probability the Governor may take time to think and consult before announcing any decision,” Thakur said.
The ECI is learnt to have sent its opinion on the office of profit case related to Chief Minister Hemant Soren who has been alleged to have secured a stone mining lease in his name when he held the positions of Chief Minister and Mines Minister of the state.
Governor Ramesh Bais returned to Ranchi from New Delhi this afternoon where he had gone for medical reasons. While he told reporters that he is unaware of the ECI’s report several BJP leaders have already declared him guilty of corruption.
Speaking to lagatar24.com, Thakur said, “I have worked in the Governor’s office in 2009 during Congress rule. This is going to be a big decision. Any Governor will take at least 6-8 hours to study the report and will take judicial recommendations on the case.
“I believe the Governor will declare his judgement tomorrow. If he declares it today then all will be sure that the BJP has dictated the judgement and has managed the case from ECI to the Governor. He won’t be able to face the people of Jharkhand.”
Thakur further said that in any eventuality the Congress and the alliance led by Hemant Soren is intact. “We are all together. In case, we have to choose another leader, it won’t take more than 10 minutes,” he added. Congress leaders are assembled at Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Alamgir Alam’s house.
