Jharkhand Floor Test Live Updates: Jharkhand CM Champai Soren speaks in the special session of the state assembly today. (Screengrab)Jharkhand Floor Test Highlights, Champai Soren News: Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren won the trust vote in the state assembly on Monday, with 47 MLAs voting in favour of the trust motion. 29 legislators opposed it in the 81-member assembly and Independent legislator Saryu Roy didn’t participate in the voting process.
“Hemant hai to himmat hai”(If Hemant Soren is there we have courage), said Champai Soren as he began his address in the special session of the Jharkhand assembly today, as he moved a confidence motion in 81-member state Assembly. He also said he is proud that his government is “part 2” of the Hemant Soren administration.
Meanwhile, the High Court of Jharkhand adjourned the hearing of ex-chief minister Hemant Soren’s petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate till February 12. A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Rajesh Kumar asked the central agency to file its reply on Soren’s petition by February 9. Soren was arrested by the ED, shortly after his resignation as the chief minister, on January 31 in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam.
Jharkhand in numbers
The majority alliance has 47 MLAs -- JMM 29, Congress 17 and RJD 1 in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly. The BJP has 26 members and the AJSU Party has three. The NCP and CPI (ML) have one lawmaker each, apart from two Independents. There is also one nominated member.
Out of 81, 77 members were present in the Assembly, including nominated member from the Anglo-Indian community Glen Joseph Galstaun during the voting. JMM's Ramdas Soren and BJP's Indrajit Mahto were said to be sick while Independent MLA Amit Yadav was absent. JMM MLA from Gandey Sarfaraz Ahmad resigned on December 31.
Except for non-tribal BJP leader Raghubar Das, none of the other 10 previous chief ministers, whether belonging to the saffron party or JMM, could complete a full five-year term in the state, formed in 2000.
In neighbouring Bihar, Nitish U-turn brings BJP to power coalition
Even as Jharkhand sees the JMM firmly in power despite Hemant Soren's arrest, power partly changed hand in neighbouring Bihar with CM Nitish Kumar's U-turn bringing BJP to the power coalition in the state.
Portfolios were on Saturday allocated in the new Bihar cabinet, with Nitish Kumar retaining the crucial Home portfolio but giving away finance, which his JD(U) had held, to new ally BJP. The JD(U) was allocated 19 departments and the BJP 23.
Nitish went by the same formula of portfolio allocation as was done during the formation of the NDA government after the 2020 Assembly elections in which the JD(U) had won 43 (now 45) seats and the BJP had bagged 74 (now 78).
Who is Champai Soren?
Champai Soren has been a legislator from Saraikela assembly constituency for more than three decades since 1991 and is known to be a loyalist of JMM supremo Shibu Soren. He served as the Science and Technology, Labour and Housing September 2010 to January 2013 and a minister of Food and Civil Supplies, Transport from July 2013 to December 2014 under the third Jharkhand Assembly.
Before Jharkhand was carved out of the southern portion of Bihar in 2000, he represented Saraikela constituency in the Bihar Assembly after winning 1995 state elections.
All you need to know about the new Jharkhand CM
Rahul Gandhi meets Hemant Soren's wife in Ranchi
Wife Kalpana takes over Hemant Soren's X account
Former CM Hemant Soren's wife Kalpana took over his X account until he "defeats the conspiracy of the Central Government and BJP".
BJP gave place to 8 tribal ministers in Union Cabinet: BJP state chief
Jharkhand BJP chief Babulal Marandi hit out at the Congress for buying Jaipal Singh Munda and Shibu Soren, while also hailing BJP for fulfilling the demand for declaring Jharkhand a separate state. He also praised PM Narendra Modi for giving a place to eight tribal ministers in his Cabinet.
An arrest long in the making, Hemant Soren under central agencies’ scanner since 2020
Hemant Soren’s arrest came after he had skipped eight of 10 ED summons, while during the last summons he allegedly “disappeared” before officials reached his Delhi residence for questioning in the ED investigation into a “huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia” in Jharkhand.
While dogged by investigations by Central agencies in several cases, Soren has insisted these are part of a political conspiracy to destabilise his Jharkhand government. For the JMM, the script is painfully familiar as Soren’s father, JMM founder-patriarch and three-time CM Shibu Soren’s political career remains tainted with a similar corruption allegation.
Read the full story here
Next hearing on Hemant Soren's plea against ED arrest on Feb 12
The High Court of Jharkhand adjourned the hearing of ex-chief minister Hemant Soren's petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate till February 12.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Rajesh Kumar asked the central agency to file its reply on Soren's petition by February 9.
Soren was arrested by the ED, shortly after his resignation as the chief minister, on January 31 in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. He had challenged the agency's action in the high court and also in the Supreme Court.
Watch | What Saryu Roy, who abstained from trust vote, said on Hemant Soren's arrest
Hemant Soren broguth back to ED office
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was brought back to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office after the Champai Soren-led Jharkhand government won the trust vote in the Jharkhand Assembly.
Here is what he said in the Assembly:
'Our unity foiled the conspiracy to destabilise the state': Champai Soren after winning trust vote
Senior JMM leader Champai Soren won the trust vote in the Jharkhand Assembly on Monday. In a post on X, he said: "Our unity foiled the conspiracy to destabilise the state."
He added: "By giving impetus to the schemes started by Hemant Babu, our government will try to bring about a change in the standard of living of the tribals, indigenous people, Dalits and common people of the state."
Who is Jharkhand’s new CM Champai Soren? Statehood movement veteran, close Shibu Soren aide
A veteran of the Jharkhand statehood movement, 67-year-old Champai Soren won the trust vote in the state assembly on Monday.
Born to a family of farmers in Jilingagoda village in Saraikela-Kharsawan district, Soren grew up among scarcity and joined the movement for a separate Jharkhand quite young. “In his mind, he was always drawn to the welfare of the people of the village, that is Adivasis. That is one of the reasons he did not study after Class 10 and immersed himself in the Jharkhand movement,” said a source who has known the JMM leader for a long time.
As the Jharkhand movement picked pace in the 1970s — the JMM was formed in 1973 — Champai Soren, often referred to as the “Tiger of Kolhan” by his supporters, started mobilising people for the cause. Once in the 1990s, people close to him recalled, he led an agitation at the gates of Tata Steel in Jamshedpur to push for the rightful demand of unorganised labourers. In 1993, a case was registered against him under sections of the Explosive Substances Act. In his Election Commission affidavit from 2019, the JMM veteran describes the case as a “political one”. He said, “The case is a political case during the JMM movement to make the economic blockade successful. The case relates to an attempt to destroy Railways property and an explosion of a bomb.”
Read his profile here
What did former CM Hemant Soren say in the Jharkhand Assembly today?
Champai Soren wins the trust vote in Jharkhand assembly
Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren won the trust vote in the state assembly on Monday. While, 47 MLAs voted in favour and 29 MLAs stood against the trust motion.
BJP doesn't want a tribal CM to complete 5 years in Jharkhand, alleges Hemant Soren
"BJP doesn't want a tribal CM to complete 5 years in Jharkhand, they did not allow this in their regimes," said Hemant Soren in the state assembly.
I will leave Jharkhand if BJP comes to the Vidhan Sabha with records of my ownership of 8 acres of land, says Hemant Soren
"Leave retirement from politics, I will leave Jharkhand if BJP comes to the Vidhan Sabha with records of my ownership of 8 acres of land. I have no sadness that they took my membership. But please know that we will give them a befitting reply, politically, legally or otherwise," said Hemant Soren in the state assembly today.
Will resign from politics if they show me any records of my ownership of 8.3 acres of land, says Hemant Soren
'I will resign from politics if they show me any records of my ownership of the 8.3 acres of land. Agar hai himmat to dikhaaye (If you have courage then show it, prove it' said Hemant Soren in the Jharkhand Assembly today.
"We have not yet accepted defeat. If they think they can succeed by putting me behind bars, this is Jharkhand where many people have laid down their lives. I will not shed tears, but give a befitting reply to ''feudal forces'' at appropriate time,” he said.
Soren’s arrest came after he had skipped eight of 10 ED summons, the last being on Monday, when he allegedly “disappeared” before officials reached his Delhi residence for questioning in the ED investigation into a “huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia” in Jharkhand.
Raj Bhawan involved in my arrest, says Hemant Soren in state assembly
"This dark night is deeply embedded in the democracy of the country. On January 31, a CM in the country was arrested. And somewhere the Raj Bhawan had a role to play in this incident," said Hemant Soren, as he addressed the Jhakhand state assembly on Monday.
Hemant Soren resigned as CM and was subsequently arrested on January 31 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case.
Subsequently, state transport minister and JMM leader Champai Soren staked claim to form the government and was appointed Chief Minister by the Governor on February 2. Meanwhile, Hemant Soren has been allowed by the court to participate in the floor test of the Champai Soren-led government in the state assembly today.
Hemant Soren lit a diya in everyone's heart, this cannot be undone, says CM Champai Soren
'I am the student of Shibu Soren who taught me during the Jharkhand Andolan. Today, wherever you go, you will see Hemant Soren's schemes. He lit a diya in everyone's heart. This cannot be undone,' said CM Champai Soren in the state assembly as he moved a confidence motion for his government.
"Today the whole country is seeing how injustice is being done to Hemant Soren. If you go to any village, you will find Hemant Soren's schemes in every house," he said.
"ED confiscated BJP's Bhanu Pratap Shahi's land to the tune of Rs 7 crore, but since he is in BJP now nothing will happen to him. But where there is no record on Hemant Soren ownership, but he has been made an accused," he asserted.
BJP tried to destabilise democratically elected J'khand govt, alleges Champai Soren
Jharkhand CM Champai Soren moved a confidence motion in the 81-member state Assembly on Monday. While addressing the Vidhan Sabha he accused the BJP of destabilising the democratically elected Jharkhand government.
‘Hemant hai to himmat hai’: Champai Soren seeks trust vote in Jharkhand Assembly
“Hemant hai to himmat hai”(If Hemant Soren is there we have courage), said Champai Soren as he began his address in the special session of the Jharkhand assembly today, as he moved a confidence motion in 81-member state Assembly.
'and The Adivasis and moolvasis of Jharkhand suffered from economic, social suppression. Hemant babu thought of them. He linked all people deprived to welfare schemes. 'ye kya gunaah hai kya' (is this a crime),' he said.
"I proudly say that I am part-2 of Hemant Soren, said CM Champai Soren.
Legislators have started protesting during the Governor's speech
Legislators have started protesting during the Governor's speech in the Jharkhand Assembly house today, ahead of the floor test of the Champai Soren-led government.
Government focused on bringing a clean administration and focusing on getting people’s participation, says Jharkhand Governor in his address to the House
'Four years ago this government got a mandate to make the lives of the people happy and prosperous and bring all-round development in the state. During this period the government has tried its. best to meet the people’s expectations and have a corruption-free state,' Jharkhand Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan said today.
"The government focused on bringing a clean administration and focusing on getting people’s participation. A total of 56 public servants have been arrested for corruption in Jharkhand in 2023. And, in 2023, more than 400 'naxals' were arrested," he said.
Amidst slogans of 'Hemant Soren zindabad' Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan begins addressing the house
Amidst slogans of 'Hemant Soren zindabad' Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan begins his address to the house.
Jharkhand House proceedings begin
The Jharkhand House proceedings have begun. Jharkhand governor CP Radhakrishnan is set to address the House shortly.
Floor test of Champai Soren government in assembly today: What do the numbers say
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.
Watch | JMM-led alliance MLAs reach Jharkhand assembly to participate in floor test of Champai Soren govt
The JMM-led alliance MLAs reached the Jharkhand assembly on Monday to participate in floor test of Champai Soren government.
JMM doesn't have confidence in their own MLAs, alleges BJP leader Anant Kumar Ojha
BJP leader Anant Kumar Ojha on Monday allged that the JMM does not have confidence in their own MLAs and that is why they were sent to Hyderabad for three days ahead of the floor test.
They continuously insulted and harassed the constitutional organisations. They don't even have confidence in their own MLAs that's why they (JMM, RJD, Congress MLAs) left Ranchi's 'dhaan' (rice) for Hyderabad's 'biryani'," he said.
Watch | Jharkhand CM Champai Soren arrives at the state assembly ahead of trust vote
Jharkhand CM Champai Soren reached the state assembly ahead of the floor test of his government on Monday.
Arrested Hemant Soren brought to state assembly as court allows him to vote
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren arrived at the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi on Monday after a special court allowed him to participate in the trust vote which is scheduled to take place at 11 am today.
'People have understood the dirty game of BJP,' alleges JMM leader and brother of Hemant Soren ahead of floor test
Speaking on the floor test of CM Champai Soren-led government to prove their majority today, Basant Soren, JMM MLA and brother of former CM Hemant Soren; said, "I think everyone can see our unity. We stand strongly with Hemant Soren. People have understood the dirty game of BJP and how the tribal leader of this state was forcefully removed."
JMM-led alliance government always prioritised corruption, alleges Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri
Ahead of the trust vote in Jharkhand assembly today, Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Amar Kumar Bauri said, “ Instead of fulfilling the promises they (JMM-led alliance government) had made, they prioritised corruption...We hope he (Champai Soren) will fulfil the promises for which they were elected...Their (JMM and Congress) MLAs were kept in custody for three days. Today in the Assembly, we want to know what their (MLAs) conscience will say..."
Watch | Jharkhand BJP MLAs arrive at the assembly ahead of the trust vote
Jharkhand BJP MLAs arrived at the State Assembly in Ranchi on Monday ahead of the Floor Test of CM Champai Soren-led government to prove their majority today.
"Jharkhand was humiliated...." BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo attacks former CM Hemant Soren ahead of floor test
Before the Jharkhand assembly floor test today, the state BJP spokesperson, Pratul Shah Deo, criticized former Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Deo claimed that Jharkhand faced embarrassment nationally and internationally as Soren remained out of contact with top state officials for 40 hours "while on the run."
"Whatever the result of the confidence motion, one thing is clear: Jharkhand has lost. The way Jharkhand was humiliated in front of the national and international community is absolutely shocking. A CM was a fugitive on the run for 40 hours without any trace, without any contact with the top officials of the state. The people of the state were left at their own mercy and the way the CM was accused of Rs 70,000 crore corruption, he had to step down, he was then arrested..." said BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo.
Jharkhand assembly floor test is expected to proceed smoothly, says JMM leader Manoj Pandey
As the Champai Soren government seeks a trust vote in the assembly today, JMM leader Manoj Pandey said that there the floor test is expected to proceed smoothly.
"I think it is just a formality. The spirit of the opposition is already low seeing the numbers and the unity of the INDIA alliance. The figure can also cross 48. Our party, and our alliance is united, there will be no problem during the vote of confidence. Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren will also be present and vote during the floor test..." he said.
JMM General Secretary affirms support of at least 47 MLAs ahead of today's pivotal floor test
The newly formed Champai Soren government in Jharkhand is all set to seek a trust vote in the assembly at 11 am on Monday. ahead of the floor test, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya said that they have the support of a minimum of 47 MLAs today.
"Floor test will be done. (We have) not less than 47," he was quoted saying by news agency ANI.
The Jharkhand Assembly consists of 81 seats, and to secure a majority, a minimum of 41 seats is required.
'We will win Jharkhand floor test': Congress leader Jairam Ramesh
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday said he was confident that the INDIA bloc parties would win the floor test in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly.
"We have a majority in the 81-seat Assembly...Even Hemant Soren has been permitted by the special court (to cast his vote). This is a conspiracy by the ED. We will win the floor test. It has been clear from the start that the Modi government has been misusing the ED, CBI and Income Tax departments against the INDIA members. They are no longer independent institutions," Ramesh was quoted saying by news agency ANI.
BJP framed Hemant Soren in false cases: Jharkhand CM
On Sunday, Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren leveled accusations against the BJP, asserting that they orchestrated false cases against his predecessor, Hemant Soren, as a means in order to continue the loot of minerals from the state.
Speaking at a party workers' rally held on the 52nd foundation day of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) at the Golf Ground in Dhanbad, Champai Soren further claimed that the BJP and outsiders were engaged in looting minerals of the state for 19 years in the state.
“When Hemant Soren came to power (in 2019) and stopped them from doing so, they framed him in false cases,” the CM claimed.
“Hemant Soren had initiated steps to ensure the rights of tribal through 1932 Khatiyan based domicile policy and 75 per cent job reservation for local youths in private companies. The BJP could not digest these and they used central agencies against him,” he alleged.
What Champai Soren had said after being sworn-in as the new CM of Jharkhand?
Jharkhand New CM: In his inaugural statement as the new Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Champai Soren affirmed his commitment to advancing the initiatives undertaken by his predecessor, Hemant Soren, aimed at the comprehensive development of tribal communities. Soren pledged to expedite ongoing projects to fulfill the aspirations of the people within stipulated timelines. He attributed the failure of the opposition's attempts to destabilize the state to the resilience of their coalition alliance, underscoring the strength of their collective resolve.
Jharkhand set for floor test today, JMM-Cong MLAs return from Hyderabad
As the newly formed Jharkhand government under Champai Soren faces a trust vote on Monday, 40 ruling coalition legislators reached Ranchi from Hyderabad on Sunday.
The MLAs were shifted to Congress-ruled Telangana on February 2 to thwart any attempt of horse-trading as the state plunged into a political crisis after Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Hemant Soren resigned as CM and was subsequently arrested on January 31 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case.
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. (Abhishek Angad writes)
Section 144 imposed near Jharkhand assembly ahead of special session today
In anticipation of the upcoming special session of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, the Ranchi district administration has implemented Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) within a 100-meter radius of the assembly building.
According to an official order, these restrictions will be enforced starting from 8:00 am on Monday until 10:00 pm on Tuesday. The order prohibits the gathering of five or more individuals, except for government officials, employees engaged in official duties, and participants in judicial and religious activities.
he newly formed Champai Soren government in Jharkhand will seek a trust vote in the assembly on Monday. The state had plunged into a political crisis after Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Hemant Soren resigned as CM and was subsequently arrested on January 31 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case.