Hemant Soren arrested by ED, Champai Soren to take over as Jharkhand CM

In a stunning turn of events that has gripped the Indian state of Jharkhand, Champai Soren is poised to become the new Chief Minister following the dramatic resignation and subsequent arrest of Hemant Soren. Hemant Soren, engulfed in controversy, found himself at the center of a high-profile money laundering investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) linked to an alleged land scam.

Jharkhand Minister Banna Gupta made a groundbreaking announcement, stating, “We have chosen Champai Soren as the leader of the Legislative Party. We came to the Raj Bhawan to request the Governor for the oath ceremony.” This statement came shortly after ED officials were seen leaving Hemant Soren’s Ranchi residence, marking the climax of a seven-hour-long operation. The political landscape of Jharkhand is in upheaval, with the incumbent Chief Minister now in ED custody, and Champai Soren, the Transport Minister and a key figure in Jharkhand politics, stepping into the limelight as the new Chief Minister.

Earlier, Hemant Soren had escalated tensions by filing a case against ED officials under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. This bold move came amidst ED officials’ interrogation of Soren at his residence, signaling a defiant stance against the central authorities. Opposition parties in India have long accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the center of using the ED as a tool to target political adversaries, adding fuel to the fiery political climate in Jharkhand.

This political saga takes a darker turn with the imposition of orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in Ranchi, prohibiting the assembly of four or more persons in public. The ED’s actions have been painted with distinct political colors, as allegations of a massive “mafia racket” in Jharkhand involving illegal land ownership changes have emerged. The recent raid at Hemant Soren’s official residence, where Rs 3.6 million, an SUV, and ‘incriminating’ documents were seized, has only intensified the scandal.

In this electrifying political atmosphere, Champai Soren’s rise to power marks a significant shift in the state’s leadership dynamics, as Jharkhand braces for a new chapter under his stewardship amidst ongoing controversies and political unrest.