Ranchi, Feb 5: The newly formed government of Jharkhand, led by Chief Minister Champai Soren, successfully passed the trust vote in the state Assembly on Monday, February 5th, 2024. The coalition government secured a comfortable majority of 47 votes against 29 votes cast by the opposition.
Hemant Soren Attends Vote Despite Arrest
The floor test was marked by the presence of former Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who was recently arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged land scam case. A special court allowed Soren to participate in the trust vote, where he delivered a passionate speech criticizing the central government and calling his arrest an example of the oppression faced by tribals and Dalits.
Soren Brothers Accuse BJP of Targeting Tribals and Dalits
Both Hemant and Champai Soren accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of harboring animosity towards tribals and Dalits. Champai Soren condemned the misuse of central agencies by the BJP government, highlighting Hemant Soren’s arrest despite receiving a clear mandate from the people in 2019.
Comfortable Victory for JMM-Congress Alliance
With 29 seats in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and 17 seats in the Congress party, the alliance held a strong position leading into the trust vote. The 47 votes secured in the Assembly exceeded the halfway mark of 41, solidifying their majority and ensuring the continuation of their rule.
What’s Next for Jharkhand?
The successful trust vote paves the way for the Champai Soren-led government to focus on its agenda for Jharkhand. With allegations of political targeting looming, it will be interesting to see how the government addresses the concerns raised by the Soren brothers and navigates the political landscape in the coming months.
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