Hemant Soren to Take Oath as Jharkhand Chief Minister
Hemant Soren is set to take oath as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand at 5 pm today, with the Raj Bhavan granting permission for the swearing-in ceremony. Only Hemant will take oath today, while the cabinet will be expanded later. Earlier in the day, Hemant Soren, along with Congress leaders in the alliance, met Governor CP Radhakrishnan at the Raj Bhavan.
Change in Chief Minister Position
Hemant Soren’s swearing-in ceremony comes after Champai Soren, who stepped in as the 12th Chief Minister of Jharkhand in February, resigned from the post. The JMM-led coalition then unanimously elected Hemant as the leader of the legislative party, who subsequently staked claim to form the government after meeting the Governor.
Hemant Soren’s Legal Troubles
Hemant Soren, son of JMM chief Shibu Soren, was released on bail on June 28 after spending nearly five months in jail in a money laundering case related to a land scam. Sources indicate that the Enforcement Directorate plans to challenge the High Court’s bail order for Hemant Soren in the Supreme Court.
JMM’s Legislative Strength
Following the Lok Sabha elections, the JMM-led coalition in Jharkhand now has 45 MLAs, with JMM holding 27 seats, Congress 17, and RJD one. Two JMM MLAs have been elected to the Lok Sabha, while one resigned to contest the general elections on a BJP ticket. Additionally, two JMM MLAs were expelled by the party.
