Law Kumar Mishra
Ranchi, February 5
JMM government led by Champai Soren on Monday won the confidence vote in Jharkhand Assembly after a brief debate.
While 47 MLAs voted in favour of the confidence motion in the 81-member assembly, 29 MLAs opposed it. Hemant Soren, who is in the ED custody, also participated in the confidence voting after the court’s permission.
Champai had taken over as chief minister last week following arrest of the then chief minister, Hemant Soren by Enforcement Directorate in an alleged land scam of Ranchi
Hemant who was brought to the assembly under ED escort participated in the debate and defended himself. He was innocent, he claimed and said not even an inch of alleged land was in his name. He challenged, “If any document is produced in the House to substantiate the charge against me,I shall leave Jharkhand state”
Former chief minister successfully used the platform of assembly to even allege Raj Bhawan was involved in the conspiracy to get him arrested. This is for the first time, a chief minister has been arrested in Raj Bhawan, Hemant claimed.
Devendra Verma, former principal secretary of Chhattisgarh assembly reacting on the claim of Hemant Soren, said “No immunity from arrest is available to any minister in Raj Bhawan.”
Hemant tried to play Tribal card and regretted through central agencies,BJP was trying to finish tribals.’ They do not even want a tribal to become an IAS officer”, he alleged
After passage of the trust motion, Champai Soren announced the three members cabinet would be expanded within two days.
