J'khand Crisis: Resort Politics Begins As CM Soren With Ruling MLAs Arrive At Guest House Near Latratu Dam

A few insiders from the Congress party told PTI that "ring-fencing" MLAs by parking them in a resort in a "friendly state" such as West Bengal, Bihar or Chhattisgarh is being considered as an option.

EC had recommended Soren's disqualification as an MLA. (Image: ANI)

Following meeting of MLAs of the ruling UPA alliance at Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence, three buses were spotted leaving the venue to an undisclosed location with UPA MLAs on board, reported news agency PTI. Amid speculation of CM  Soren’s disqualification over a mining lease case, the ruling United Progressive Alliance is considering shifting MLAs to a "friendly state".

Hours after their departure from Ranchi, Soren along with his MLAs and ministers arrived at a guest house near Latratu dam in Khunti district of Jharkhand. Heavy Police force have been deployed in the area.

Jharkhand | Visuals from a guest house near Latratu dam in Khunti dist where CM Hemant Soren & UPA MLAs & ministers have come from Ranchi pic.twitter.com/XNFci85D5P

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2022

Soon after arriving in Khunti district, Satyanand Bhokta, a minister of Soren camp said that all MLAs and ministers are together and they will go to other places too, but don't know they will go next.

Meanwhile, CM Soren's brother and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MLA Basant Soren speaking with ABP News said, "We feel we are going on picnic. There is no threat, the government is stable," without disclosing where the buses were headed. 

A meeting was called today, second in day, by CM Soren of the ruling coalition where strategies were chalked out to ensure that there is no threat to the government, reported news agency citing sources. 

Amid Jharkhand political crisis, CM Hemant Soren's brother Basant Soren speaks to ABP News.

"We feel we are going on picnic. There is no threat, the government is stable," he said.#Jharkhand #JharkhandPoliticalCrisis #HemantSorenpic.twitter.com/nL7mEKH0bA

— ABP LIVE (@abplive) August 27, 2022

A few insiders from the Congress party — a crucial ally of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led ruling coalition — told the news agency on condition of anonymity that "ring-fencing" MLAs by parking them in a resort in a "friendly state" such as West Bengal, Bihar or Chhattisgarh is being considered as an option to avoid legislator poaching by the BJP.

However, a decision on the future course of action can be taken once Governor Ramesh Bais communicates to them the Election Commission’s opinion on the possible disqualification of Soren as an MLA for allegedly violating electoral norms by extending himself a mining lease, they told PTI. 

As per the report, sources from Raj Bhavan had on Thursday claimed that the Election Commission had recommended Soren's disqualification as an MLA, but there is no official confirmation as yet.

Amid the rapidly changing political scenario, the sources on Friday said that Bais is likely to send a disqualification order to the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday.

Reacting to the reports of his disqualification, CM Soren attacked the Centre, during the day, for “unleashing” all constitutional agencies to “de-stabilise a democratically elected government”. 

The JMM executive president said “satanic forces” were all out to execute evil designs. 

Taking to Twitter, he later said, “"The Centre has unleashed all agencies on me after I asked for legitimate Rs 1.36 lakh crore dues which are pending to the state. When they saw that they cannot harm me, they are trying to harass ‘Guruji’ (Shibu Soren), who is in a certain age bracket, to get to me."

The BJP, the petitioner in the case, has sought Soren's disqualification for violating Section 9(A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which deals with disqualification for government contracts.