Jharkhand set for floor test today, JMM-Cong MLAs return from Hyderabad

A special court has allowed the former CM to participate in the voting process, according to Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan. “The former CM has been allowed to participate in the floor test despite vehement and vociferous opposition by the ED … The purpose of the arrest was to bring down the government and not allow one MLA to participate in the floor test. The entire exercise is malafide and that has been our stand since the beginning. He will take part in the voting at 11 am (on Monday),” Ranjan said on Saturday.

The JMM and its allies faced some anxious moments following Hemant Soren’s arrest. As Champai Soren staked claim to form the government, Governor C P Radhakrishnan sought time citing “legal considerations” leading to marathon meetings of the coalition – JMM, Congress and RJD – MLAs. A video of the MLAs conducting a headcount and claiming the support of 43 legislators subsequently emerged. Among those not seen in the video were Hemant Soren, his sister-in-law Sita Soren, Ramdas Soren, and Rabindranath Mahao.

The ruling coalition currently has 47 MLAs in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly after Gandey MLA Sarfaraz Ahmed quit on January 2 reportedly to accommodate Hemant Soren’s wife Kalpana as the former CM’s arrest seemed imminent. The JMM has 29 MLAs while allies Congress and RJD have 17 and one MLA respectively. Sources said the lone CPI(ML) legislator, Vinod Singh, has also extended support to the coalition.

On February 1, the MLAs, who were on their way to Hyderabad, were asked to wait by the Governor even as dense fog led to the cancellation of their flight, triggering fear of “poaching” among a few legislators. Radhakrishnan sprung a surprise and invited Champai Soren to form the government. The new CM, along with two ministers, Alamgir Alam of the Congress and Satyanand Bhokta of the RJD, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by the governor on February 2 and the MLAs were flown to Hyderabad the same day.

A source said the ruling coalition was wary of the outcome of the trust vote. “We cannot leave cattle open in the presence of predators,” the source said. Another government insider said the coalition had enough numbers to cross the magic number of 41 in the Assembly and exuded confidence about winning the floor test.

Following a Cabinet meeting on Saturday, Champai Soren said his government would ensure that the work started by his predecessor would continue effectively. “We have to protect the pride of Jharkhand,” he said.

On Sunday, the CM held a meeting with Chief Secretary L Khaingte and DGP Ajay Singh to review the law-and-order situation of the state. He directed the police to crack down on criminals and expedite the probe into all cases related to offences against women.