Ranchi: Champai Soren, veteran leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, will take oath on Friday as the next Chief Minister of Jharkhand. The 67-year-old was invited by the Governor to take oath late this evening — more than 24 hours after the arrest of his predecessor Hemant Soren in an alleged money laundering case.
Governor CP Radhakrishnan’s move came hours after Champai Soren met him earlier on Thursday, pleading that he be called to take the oath.
“There is no government (in the state) for 18 hours. There is a situation of confusion. Being the constitutional head, we expect you will soon take steps for the formation of a popular government,” read his letter to the Governor.
The delay in the Governor’s decision — coupled with the slim margin in numbers — pushed the ruling alliance to move their MLAs, fearing an Operation Lotus by the opposition BJP.
But the weather played spoilsport. The plane — bound for Congress-ruled Telangana — could not take off and late in the evening, the MLAs were taken to a government guest house in the city.
Shortly after, Champai Soren got a call from the Governor.
The ruling JMM-Congress-RJD alliance of Jharkhand has 47 MLAs in the 81-member house, where the majority mark is 41. Currently, 43 MLAs are backing Champai Soren.
(IANS)
