Team News Riveting
Ranchi, August 27
The political development unfolding in Jharkhand had alerted the ruling Congress-Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) that had planned to send its MLAs to neighbouring Chhattisgarh.
Governor Ramesh Bais had reportedly sent his report to the Election Commission of India that had sent its opinion to Raj Bhawan in connection with a complaint related to the office of profit related to Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Hemant Soren is accused of getting the mining lease allotted in his name while being a departmental minister.
Sources said the Commission would not issue a notification based on the report of the Governor. However, Soren had received the hint and had started working on damage control. Though the Raj Bhawan had not issued an official communication, the possibility of Soren being disqualified as member of Jharkhand Legislative Assembly was not ruled out.
The state would however plunge into a major political crisis if Soren is barred from contesting the election too. It could lead to political uncertainty and the possibility of a split. Congress with its 16 MLAs was vulnerable to the fear.
Of the 16, three are now in Kolkata after being arrested for carrying huge cash. The JMM has 30 MLAs but the possibility of a split in the party is bleak.
Keeping the point in mind, the JMM-Congress leadership had reportedly decided to shift its MLAs to Chhattisgarh, which is ruled by Congress. Sources said the MLAs had reached the Chief Minister’s residence with baggage. After the meeting, they could be driven to adjoining Chhattisgarh’s Sarguja district.
A few MLAs had hinted that they were going for a weekend tour. Sources said the MLAs would enjoy leisure in Mainpat, known as Shimla of Chhattisgarh.
