As Hemant Soren Set To Appear Before ED, Speculation Rife His Wife Will Take Over As Jharkhand CM

Amid Hemant Soren's scheduled appearance before the ED on January 31, there is speculation that his wife, Kalpana Soren, might take over as the Jharkhand CM.

File Photo Of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren And His Wife Kalpana Soren

Source : PTI Images

Jharkhand's Chief Minister Hemant Soren is facing the sword of arrest. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, he convened two consecutive meetings, with his wife Kalpana Soren joining the first one. Subsequently, a legislative party meeting was called, attended by 43 legislators, with four absentees, including Sita Soren, Ramdas Soren, Chamra Linda, and Lobin Hembram – all belonging to the JMM party. Sources suggest that Plan B was discussed in the meeting. If the ED arrests CM Hemant Soren, the deliberation focused on the government's course of action in such a scenario. The legislative party meeting extended for two hours. The ED will interrogate CM Soren at 1 PM on Wednesday at the CM's office.

#WATCH | Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren holds a meeting of the state's ministers and ruling side's MLAs at CM's residence in Ranchi.

His wife Kalpana Soren is also present at the meeting. pic.twitter.com/oo2GJhZ0gi

— ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2024

What Did Legislators Say After The Meeting?

Post the meeting, legislators expressed assurance to Chief Minister Hemant Soren from all members of the Mahagathbandhan that he was elected as the Chief Minister for a full five-year term and would remain so until the end. Tomorrow, all legislators will gather at the CM's residence.

#WATCH | Ranchi: After the conclusion of the meeting at CM's residence, Congress MLA Pradeep Yadav says, "All the MLAs of INDIA Alliance were present. All of them gave an introduction of their unity... All MLAs showed their faith in the leadership of CM Hemant Soren... We will… pic.twitter.com/DNvMYP2JfN

— ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2024

Jharkhand's Health Minister Banna Gupta stated, "We are all with the government. Hemant Soren will participate in the ED interrogation; he himself has said it. The government won't fall. If something like an arrest happens, we will see. We stand strong with the government. When Plan A is in place, there is no Plan B. No discussion has taken place regarding Kalpana Soren yet. When needed, when it has to be made, we will make Hemant the CM."

#WATCH | Ranchi | On meeting with Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, state minister Banna Gupta says, "All of us are united. CM is coming. It is the death anniversary of Bapu...The assassins of Bapu are alive even today and are murdering democracy. He (CM) is very confident. Read his… pic.twitter.com/Zs0SiGrHpi

— ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2024

Is Kalpana Soren Stuck In A Predicament?

Speculations are rife that Kalpana Soren, Hemant Soren's wife, may be made the CM. However, within the Soren family, there seems to be no consensus.

According to sources, Sita Soren and Basant Soren, who are both JMM legislators, do not agree with Kalpana Soren becoming the CM. Sita Soren is the wife of the late Durga Soren, Hemant Soren's elder brother. On the other hand, Basant Soren is the younger brother of CM Soren.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has also claimed that Sita Soren and Basant Soren do not support Kalpana Soren for the CM post. Meanwhile, legal hurdles are also being cited for Kalpana Soren to become CM as she is not currently a legislator but has previously resigned from a legislative seat. Since then, speculations have emerged that Kalpana Soren might be made the CM.

Section 144 Imposed In Ranchi

Section 144 will be in effect in Ranchi on Wednesday between 9 AM and 10 PM. The district administration has implemented this precautionary measure. Section 144 will apply to the CM residence, the ED office, and Raj Bhavan. It's worth noting that during the last ED interrogation of CM Soren, a large crowd of JMM supporters gathered outside the CM's residence. To avoid any impact on law and order, the imposition of Section 144 has been decided.