’I am Hemant Soren part 2’: New Jharkhand CM Champai Soren hails predecessor as JMM-led govt wins floor test

Newly appointed Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren dubbed himself ‘Hemant Soren part two’ on Monday ahead of a floor test. The JMM chief had resigned as CM last week as the Enforcement Directorate arrested him in connection with a land scam case. 47 MLAs voted in favour of the confidence motion on Monday to ensure the the JMM-led coalition remains in power.

“Today the whole country is seeing how injustice is being done to Hemant Soren. If you go to any village, you will find Hemant Soren's schemes in every house. I proudly say that I am part-2 of Hemant Soren,” the CM said ahead of the floor test.

JMM legislature party leader Champai Soren took oath as the chief minister of Jharkhand on February 2, after his predecessor Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last week in an alleged money-laundering case.

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The ruling alliance comprises the JMM, Congress and the RJD with external support from the state's lone CPIML(L) legislator. Seventy-seven MLAs were present in the Assembly during the voting — with 29 lawmakers opposing the motion. Independent legislator Saryu Roy abstained from voting.

Meanwhile, the former CM was brought back to the ED office after the Champai Soren-led Jharkhand government won the trust vote. The JMM leader had been remanded to ED custody by a special PMLA court in Ranchi for five days from February 2.

The Jharkhand High Court will hold its next hearing on his petition against the ED action on February 12. A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Rajesh Kumar asked the central agency to file its reply on Soren's petition by February 9.

(With inputs from agencies)