Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, November 19
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who was questioned for about 10 hours on Thursday at Ranchi, on Saturday alleged that the Enforcement Directorate treated him like thief and lifter.
Hemant was addressing a gathering of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) workers who had come from all over the state and shared his experiences at the ED office. He said, “they asked me all stupid and irrelevant questions like source of my income, expenditure etc.”
Hemant said, “A Chief Minister was treated like a thief and lifter. No political leader had tried to even escape from the country during investigations by the central agencies, but businessmen and traders have escaped.”
Ms Mahuwa Manjhi, JMM MP, claimed Chief Minister had replied to all the questions by ED officials in a relaxed manner. But, Hemant claimed ED treated like a petty criminal. A visibly tired Hemant had returned to CM House late last night along with his wife, Ms Kalpana Soren, who had gone to meet him at ED office.
Hemant warned the central agencies and fumed he would ensure people of Jharkhand get justice. Jharkhandis had thrown Britishers out of the state during Freedom movement, they would also throw them out, he added.
He reiterated his charge that BJP was behind the ED inquiry against him and wanted to destabilise his government.
During questioning, Chief Minister told ED he had agreed to posting of senior IAS officer, Puja Singhal as mines secretary and not asked her to collect money. He also claimed Prem Prakash, a hawala businessman was not known to him. Both Singhal and Prem Prakash are in judicial custody following their arrest by ED in money laundering case.
Large number of JMM workers are still camping at Morabadi Grounds and Kanke Road to express their solidarity with Hemant Soren. Legislators of the UPA also held a meeting at CM house today and passed a resolution expressing faith in the leadership of Hemant Soren and criticised BJP for allegedly trying to destabilise the tribal led government.
