Law Kumar Mishra
Ranchi/Raipur, August 30
The MLAs affiliated to the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress party in Jharkhand have been shifted to Raipur amidst political uncertainty prevailing in the state.
The political crisis erupted in the state after Governor Ramesh Bais reportedly forwarded 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. Chief Minister 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 most vulnerable. 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. It could be possible only if there was a chance of mid-term polls after the resignation of Soren.
Keeping the point in mind, the JMM-Congress leadership decided to shift its MLAs to Chhattisgarh, which is ruled by Congress. For the last three days, the exercise was going on. Earlier in the day, it was reported that the MLAs would be shifted to Rajasthan, another Congress ruled state.
Finally, it was decided to arrange leisure for the MLAs in Raipur, Chhattisgarh’s capital city. A chartered plane flew them from Ranchi past 4 pm.
Meanwhile, a thick security blanket has been thrown open in and around MayFair Lake Resort, a luxurious destination in the Nava Raipur. The hotel had stopped taking bookings as the entire property had been reserved for the 47 MLAs besides senior Congress leaders who had accompanied them.
