For the first time after he was released from jail on bail in a land scam case, former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday convened a meeting on mutual legal assistance of alliance partners at his residence. Due to the changed political circumstances, the meeting is considered decisive, and important decisions are expected.
Earlier, before his arrest in the land scam case, Soren held a similar meeting during which he allegedly obtained MLA signatures on a letter of support for Kalpana Soren to become the next chief minister of Jharkhand. Given the current political scenario after Soren’s bail, similar actions are not out of the question.
There is speculation that there may be a changing of the guard in the state. This speculation is nullified by the cancellation of Chief Minister Champai Soren’s programs in Dumka and Ranchi on July 2 and 3 for unspecified reasons.
Government sources say Dumka’s program was canceled due to bad weather and ended in the presence of Hemant’s brother Soren and minister Basant Soren. Cabinet expansion was expected last week but was scrapped after the surprise appearance of Hemant Soren.
Meanwhile, Soren has been very active on social media, proactively attacking the BJP. Congress leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir made a surprise visit from Delhi to Ranchi on June 25 to meet jailed Hemant Soren. Hemant Soren’s wife and Gandey MLA Kalpana Soren was also present during the visit. Neither the Congress nor the JMM gave a concrete or satisfactory explanation for the meeting, fueling speculation about a possible leadership change in the country.
JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey explained that the upcoming meeting is related to the upcoming parliamentary elections. “In the current political scenario, there could be a consultation on the strategy of the JMM and its alliance partners,” Pandey said. He went on to say that such a meeting was necessary to free Hemant Soren in five months.
Kalpana Soren has previously been referred to as “CM material” by AICC Jharkhand general secretary and in-charge Ghulam Ahmed Mir., suggesting that the BJP will have to pay a heavy price for its alleged injustice against political leaders and the public.
Giridih MLA Sudivya Kumar Sonu, who is known to be close to Hemant Soren, had mentioned in a staff meeting before Gandey’s by-poll that they would try to elect not only an MLA but also a chief minister. As the political dynamic unfolds, all eyes are on Hemant Soren and the decisions that will be taken in this crucial meeting.
