Team News Riveting
Ranchi, August 28
Congress party has reportedly taken a strong exception over its MLAs going for an outing with Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday.
Political activities have flared up in Jharkhand following the findings in connection with a case of office of profit involving Soren. The Chief Minister is accused of getting the mining lease allotted in his name while being a departmental minister.
Governor Ramesh Bais had reportedly sent his report to the Election Commission of India. Sources said the Commission would now issue a notification based on the report of the Governor that could amount to disqualification of Soren as the member of the state legislative assembly or even could be given a clean chit.
The worst could be debarring the Jharkhand Morcha Morcha (JMM) leader from contesting the election that could plunge the state into political uncertainty. Amidst hectic political activities, all eyes are on the 16 MLAs of Congress that are allies in the JMM-led coalition government.
Fearing a split in the Congress, Soren is trying his best to keep the MLAs intact. Dinner diplomacy, a series of meetings and outings are part of the exercise going on for the last three days. On Saturday, Soren took the MLAs to Latratu dam in Khunti, about 40 km from Ranchi.
The state Congress President Rajesh Thakur and other senior leaders accompanied the Chief Minister and the lawmakers. After having a picnic, they returned to the state capital late in the evening. They were supposed to move to another tourist destination today.
Sources said Congress leadership took its leaders and lawmakers to task and expressed strong resentment. Congress in-charge for Jharkhand Avinash Pandey is in Ranchi.
Sensing the matter taking a worst turn, Soren reached the state guest house today afternoon and met Pandey. The leaders had detailed discussion on all aspects and the present political crisis.
Thakur termed the meeting as normal stating that it was a courtesy call of Soren.
