NEW DELHI: Former Chief Minister Hemant Soren, currently under arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam, addressed the State Assembly ahead of the trust vote for the Champai Soren-led government.
Hemant Soren, the executive President of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), was granted permission by a special court in Ranchi to participate in the trust vote, despite strong objections from the ED. Soren, in a defiant stance, remarked, “We have not yet accepted defeat. If they think they can succeed by putting me behind bars, this is Jharkhand where many people have laid down their lives.”
Speaking about his arrest, Soren characterised it as a “dark chapter in India’s democracy,” implying a potential political conspiracy. He further alleged the involvement of the Governor and Raj Bhavan in orchestrating his arrest.
FLASH: Former Jharkhand CM and JMM leader Hemant Soren addresses the State Assembly before the Floor Test of CM Champai Soren’s government today.
He states, ‘On the night of January 31, for the first time in the country, a CM was arrested and I believe that Raj Bhavan was also… pic.twitter.com/t405TY5vEC— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) February 5, 2024
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He said, “On the night of January 31, for the first time in the country, a CM was arrested. I believe that Raj Bhavan was also involved in this incident.”
Hemant Soren, addressing the assembly, challenged the accusations related to a land scam, urging authorities to present evidence. He stated, “If they have courage, show the documents of 8.50 acres of land under Hemant Soren’s name. If it is true, I will quit politics from that day. I have been back-stabbed.”
The Ex CM of Jharkhand, Soren refrained from shedding tears at the present moment, saving them for a time when “each question and every conspiracy against the Adivasis is answered.” He emphasised that the value of his tears holds no current significance, promising responses to every query and revealing all the conspiracies in due course.
FLASH: “I proudly declare myself as the successor to Hemant Soren,” proclaims Jharkhand CM Champai Soren during his address to the State Assembly ahead of the Floor Test for his government. #JharkhandAssembly #hemantsorenarrested #ChampaiSoren #JharkhandFloorTest #JMM pic.twitter.com/Rdbn73TbYj
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) February 5, 2024
“I won’t shed tears; I’ll reserve them for a time when each question and every conspiracy against the Adivasis is answered,” said the 48-year-old leader.
The backdrop to this political drama is the trust vote sought by the newly formed Champai Soren government in the 81-member assembly today.In a show of solidarity, Jharkhand’s new CM Champai Soren voiced support for former CM Hemant Soren, expressing concern over perceived injustice.
He affirmed, “Today, the entire country witnesses the unfair treatment towards Hemant Soren. In every village, you’ll find Hemant Soren’s schemes in every household.” Proudly asserting his connection, he stated, “I proudly say that I am part-2 of Hemant Soren,” during his address to the state assembly ahead of the Floor Test for his government.