Law Kumar Mishra
Ranchi, November 3
Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) had made it clear that the former would not appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office for questioning today.
Soren was summoned today for questioning by the ED in the case of illegal mining. After the summon, the political temperature in Jharkhand has flared up. The emergency meeting of the state’s ruling Grand Alliance was held on Wednesday, in which the UPA showed solidarity and assured to stand with the Chief Minister.
According to sources, the issue of ED action dominated the meeting that lasted for over 3 hours. Talking to the media after the meeting, Minister Mithilesh Thakur said that the Chief Minister was not a toy that anyone could call him immediately and he would turn up.
It has become clear from the Chief Minister and JMM stand that he will not appear in the ED office for questioning today. It has been said that he has been busy till November 15 and the schedule of his busy engagement has also been released officially. However, it is being circulated that the Chief Minister will appear before the ED and will fully cooperate with the ED but will have to fix the date accordingly.
On the other hand, the Grand Alliance has decided to come to the streets to launch a movement against the ED. JMM spokesperson said that the JMM had called a rally against ED and BJP at Morabadi ground in Ranchi today (November 3) in which Chief Minister Hemant Soren will also be present. Workers from across the state have been called for the rally.
Apart from this, after today’s rally against ED and BJP, UPA workers will stage a sit-in protest at all district headquarters on November 5. To make this demonstration successful, preparations have been started from both the parties.
Meanwhile, the ED had sent a letter to the Director General of Police raising concern over the security arrangement. Subsequently, the police headquarters has directed the Ranchi SSP to beef up security arrangements in and around Raj Bhavan, BJP office, ED office and Morabadi ground.
