VIJAY DEO JHA
Ranchi, Aug 25: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is said to have reported its opinion to Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais regarding the office of the profit case of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
However, Governor’s principal secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni refused to comment when called for confirmation. Harsh Kumar who represented the BJP before the ECI said that he was not aware of whether the ECI has communicated its opinion to the Governor which is binding in nature.
The BJP is hopeful that Hemant Soren will be disqualified under section 9A and of the People’s Representation Act 1951 for availing a stone mining lease in Ranchi in his name while he is the Chief Minister as well as minister of the mining department.
If the ECI opinion goes against Hemant Soren then it will trouble him as well as the UPA government as he will have to resign as the Chief Minister. However, there is no provision for debarring in section 9 A from contesting any election. But it has to be seen whether the rule can allow him to take a fresh oath of the office of the CM for a period of six months and get elected later on.
The ECI on August 12 had concluded the hearing in this matter after the BJP formally lodged a complaint before Jharkhand Governor. The Raj Bhavan secretariate forwarded the matter to the ECI.
