Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief Hemant Soren is set to return as chief minister of Jharkhand for the third time following consensus among legislators of the party-led alliance in the state sources told ABP News.
The current CM and Hemant Soren's close aide, Champai Soren, who was given the command of the state, will tender his resignation.
During a meeting held at the CM Champai Soren's residence, leaders and MLAs of the alliance unanimously decided to elect Hemant Soren as JMM legislature party leader, news agency PTI reported.
Thereafter, it was decided that Hemant Soren will replace Champai Soren, becoming the 13th chief minister of Jharkhand, if sworn in.
Besides Hemant Soren's brother Basant and wife Kalpana, Congress's Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir and its state president Rajesh Thakur also attended the meeting.
After spending nearly five months in jail, Hemant Soren was released on June 28, after the high court granted him bail in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land for jobs scam. Soren had resigned as the CM prior to his arrest on January 31.
The Jharkhand Cabinet at present has a strength of 10 against 12 berths. On February 16, eight MLAs were inducted in the cabinet after three others were inducted on February 2, including Champai Soren.
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On June 11, Rural Development and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Alamgir Alam had also tendered his resignation after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case.
Following the Lok Sabha elections, the current strength of the JMM-led alliance in Jharkhand has reduced to 45 MLAs. This includes JMM-27, Congress-17 and RJD-1.
Two JMM MLAs, Joba Majhi and Nalin Soren, have become parliamentarians now. Jama legislator Sita Soren had resigned to contest the Lok Sabha polls on a BJP ticket.
Besides, JMM expelled two legislators including Boriyo MLA Lobin Hembrom and Bishunpur MLA Chamra Linda from the party. However, they are yet to resign from the state assembly.