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Soren calls on Jharkhand guv again, asks for clarity on EC opinion
The ECI had on August 25 sent its opinion over the issue after conducting a hearing in its tribunal over the reference from Governor Ramesh Bais.
Ranchi: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren met Governor Ramesh Bais on Thursday, requesting Raj Bhawan to provide a copy of the Election Commission of India (ECI) opinion on the office of profit row surrounding his mining lease, besides seeking an opportunity to defend himself.
In a memorandum submitted to the governor, the chief minister alleged that the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was using the delay on part of Raj Bhawan to make public the ECI opinion to create confusion among the masses about the future of his assembly membership and his government.
“Being the constitutional head of the state, it is expected that you would play a leading role in protecting the Constitution and democracy. As the head of an elected government, the undersigned (CM Soren) is committed to follow the rule of law,” said Soren in his memorandum, a copy of which he posted on Twitter. “Therefore, the undersigned requests you to provide a copy of the ECI opinion and an opportunity of rightful hearing thereafter, so that air is cleared on the state of uncertainty which is dangerous for democracy.”
The ECI on August 25 sent its opinion over the issue after conducting a hearing in its tribunal over the reference from governor Bais. The crisis in the eastern state began late last month after the EC’s move in the case following a petition by the BJP seeking Soren’s disqualification from the assembly in the office of profit case under provisions of the Representation of the People Act.
Soren, who leads an alliance government of his party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal in Jharkhand, had allegedly procured stone mining leases in his name while being the chief minister and holding the mines portfolio. The Raj Bhawan has, however, remained silent over the issue thereafter.
A delegation of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) met the governor on September 1, requesting him to make public the ECI opinion.
Meanwhile, the ECI has also sent its opinion to the governor over disqualification complaint against Basant Soren, the legislator brother of CM Soren, on September 9. BJP had alleged that Basant, who represents Dumka seat, should be disqualified as a member of the assembly for being a partner in two firms having mining leases in the state. EC issued a notice to Basant Soren on May 5 and he filed his reply to the notice on May 12.
Also Read: Jharkhand guv receives ECI opinion on disqualification plea against Basant Soren
The governor is yet to take a decision on it as well.
While the Raj Bhawan issued a statement following the ruling coalition delegation’s visit on September 1 stating it will take “adequate measures soon”, no such statement was released on Thursday after the CM’s visit, barring the media department releasing a picture of Soren with Bais.
Reminding the governor of his promise to the delegation, the chief minister alleged that a propaganda being done by the BJP regarding the possible outcome of the ECI opinion and the selective information from Raj Bhawan being quoted in media was creating confusion and uncertainty in the state.
Soren also accused the BJP of trying to get power through backdoor.
“The BJP is trying to use this state of confusion to get power through backdoor by engineering horse-trading. However, the BJP will never be successful in its design because for the first time since creation of the state, any government has two-thirds majority in the House,” Soren said in the memorandum. “The legislators once again extended their support to the undersigned during the confidence motion in the House.”
Also Read: Soren wins ‘trust vote’ amid Jharkhand turmoil
Reacting to the charge, Jharkhand BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo claimed Soren was playing victim card and making baseless allegations.
“There is no question of destabilising this government. The CM is playing victim card because his matter is a plain case of corruption,” said Shahdeo. “The governor has already said that he is conducting legal consultations over the issue. Pressuring constitutional authority is unfortunate and a diversionary tactic of the chief minister.”
