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Hemant Soren was sworn in as Jharkhand’s Chief Minister this evening, on July 4, marking the end of a five-month political journey. In January, he resigned just before being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate for a land fraud case worth crores. In June, he was granted bail by the High Court, which found no direct evidence of his involvement in the scam.
NEW DELHI: Hemant Soren was sworn in as Jharkhand’s Chief Minister this evening, on July 4, marking the end of a five-month political journey. In January, he resigned just before being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate for a land fraud case worth crores. In June, he was granted bail by the High Court, which found no direct evidence of his involvement in the scam.
After taking the oath, CM Soren said, “Since 2019, our ‘mahagathbandhan’ government has worked in the people’s best interests. During my time in jail, Champai Soren continued those initiatives. Now, thanks to the court’s order, I’m able to be here again.”
The Chief Minister’s wife, Kalpana Soren, who was once considered as a temporary replacement for her husband, said he would “continue to work for the people as he always has.” However, she also warned the party with the state election approaching soon, saying, “We have less time now.”
Hemant Soren was sworn in at 5 pm at Raj Bhavan, with his father, Shibu Soren, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader and two-time former Chief Minister, watching. Before the ceremony, Hemant met his father and said, “I met my respected baba and took his blessings to face the upcoming challenges.”
Cabinet ministers will be sworn in on Sunday. There were earlier reports that Mr. Soren would also be sworn in on Sunday. Five months ago, at Raj Bhavan, Mr. Soren resigned to avoid being the first sitting state head to be arrested, after dramatic events including the “case of the missing Chief Minister.”
Before taking the oath today, he posted a video message on X, criticizing “arrogant people intoxicated with power” (referring to the BJP) who tried to silence him. He said, “Today, the public opinion of the people of Jharkhand will rise again. Jai Jharkhand, Jai Hind.”
5 महीने पहले सत्ता के मद में चूर अहंकारियों ने मुझे चुप कराने की कोशिश की थी। आज झारखंडियों की जनमत वापस बुलंद होगी।
जय झारखंड, जय हिंद pic.twitter.com/E9HCs6t0oT
— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) July 4, 2024
Senior JMM leader Champai Soren, who had stepped in to replace Hemant Soren, expressed his disappointment openly. At the JMM legislature party meeting, Champai Soren, who might be named its Executive President, said he felt “insulted.”
Undeterred, the JMM approved Hemant Soren’s return and named the 48-year-old as its legislature leader. Hours later, Champai Soren went to Governor CP Radhakrishnan and resigned. His comments afterward were calm: “When the leadership changed, I was given responsibility. You know the sequence of events. After Hemant Soren came back, we chose him as our leader, and I resigned. I am following the coalition’s decision.”
आदरणीय बाबा से मिल आगामी चुनौतियों से निपटने के लिए उनका आशीर्वाद लिया। pic.twitter.com/cJN1hKPMoY
— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) July 4, 2024
The JMM leads an alliance that includes the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, and a Left party. The decision to bring Hemant Soren back as Chief Minister is a strategic move by the ruling alliance ahead of the Assembly election later this year. In 2019, the alliance won 47 seats, securing a majority, while the BJP, contesting alone, won 25 seats.
The ruling alliance is relying on Hemant Soren to lead their campaign. However, having Champai Soren step down for him could allow the BJP to criticize the decision.
