News Analysis India

Tag: JMM

  • BJP Conspired To End Shivraj Singh’s Political Career, Claims Congress’ Banna Gupta |

    New Delhi: Congress leader and Jharkhand Cabinet Minister Banna Gupta on Wednesday alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party for conspiring against Shivraj Singh Chauhan to end his political career.

    Speaking with ANI, Banna Gupta said, “The Bharatiya Janata Party has conspired against Shivraj Singh Chauhan to end his political career, but it was the public of Madhya Pradesh which made him victorious again by 8 lakh votes.”

    He further added, “When BJP saw his popularity and felt difficult to end his career, they placed him in the Modi 3.0 cabinet and made him in charge of Jharkhand. But BJP’s formulas and tactics will not work in Jharkhand because of their ill deeds.

    “They tried to diminish the constitution, in 2018 they tried to change the SC-ST law and now they were trying to turn the democracy into indentured labour. Their narrative was spotted by everyone in Jharkhand and in the whole nation. This is the reason behind the destruction of their 400-paar agenda and they were left with only 241 seats in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024,” said Banna Gupta.

    The reaction came after BJP’s senior leader and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was made the in-charge and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma co-in-charge of Jharkhand BJP in the run-up to the upcoming state assembly elections.

    Earlier, on June 10, after the swearing-in of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Kalpana Soren as MLA from Gandey assembly constituency, Jharkhand Health Minister Banna Gupta expressed confidence that JMM will form government in Jharkhand again with full majority.

    Banna Gupta said, “Kalpana Soren is a very intelligent, educated woman. She was a housewife but after the way her husband was humiliated, tortured and sent to jail, she came out to fulfil her husband’s responsibility and protect the people. She has won the election from Gandey. In the coming time, our government will be formed again in Jharkhand and it will be with full majority.”

    He further said that the focus of the JMM government was to give jobs to the youth.”Whether it is the Surgeon pension scheme, Old pension scheme, or Jal Samriddhi Yojana we have done a lot of public-centric work. Our focus is on employment to the youth and we have prepared a lot of schemes to provide them jobs,” he added. 

  • ED opposes JMM leader Hemant Soren’s interim bail plea in SC

    New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate opposed in the Supreme Court on Monday former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren’s plea seeking interim bail in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged land scam to campaign in the Lok Sabha polls. In its affidavit filed in the top court on Soren’s plea against his arrest and for interim bail, the probe agency said the materials on record establish that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader was involved in the acquisition and possession of properties in an illegal manner which are proceeds of crime. A vacation bench headed by Justice Dipankar Datta is scheduled to hear Soren’s plea against his arrest and interim bail on Tuesday. “Various Statements recorded under section 50 of PMLA, 2002, which establish that property admeasuring 8.86 acres, situated at Shanti Nagar, Near Lalu Khatal, Bariyatu is under illegal acquisition, possession and use of Hemant Soren and the same has been done in a camouflaged and concealed manner,” the agency said. Opposing the interim bail of Soren for campaigning during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, the ED said, “It is relevant to note that the right to campaign for an election is neither a fundamental right nor a constitutional right and not even a legal right.” AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesThe probe agency said that there is an active attempt on Soren’s part to subvert the investigation by misusing state machinery and project the proceeds of crime as “untainted through his stooges”. Soren was arrested on January 31 in the money-laundering case linked to the alleged land scam after he resigned as the Jharkhand chief minister. He has challenged a May 3 order of the Jharkhand High Court that dismissed his petition against his arrest by the ED. He has also sought interim bail for campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls till the court delivers its verdict on his plea against his arrest.

    On May 13, referring to the top court’s recent order in a money-laundering case involving Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Soren sought interim bail for campaigning in the election.

  • Jharkhand floor test: CM Champai Soren-led govt wins trust vote with 47 MLAs support – The Economic Times Video

    The Champai Soren-led government won a vote of confidence in 81-member Jharkhand Assembly on Monday, the first day of the two-day assembly session. The new chief minister was supported by 47 MLAs. A total of 29 MLAs were in opposition. The MLAs of the ruling JMM-led alliance had exuded confidence of winning the floor test, contrary to the opposition BJP’s belief that the coalition would be defeated.

  • JMM's Champai Soren to be next Jharkhand Chief Minister as Hemant Soren to steps down

    JMM's Champai Soren to be next Jharkhand Chief Minister as Hemant Soren to steps down

  • As Hemant Soren Remains ‘Untraceable’, Section 144 Imposed Around His Residence, Raj Bhavan |

    RANCHI: With the Enforcement Directorate (ED) tightening its noose around Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the state administration has imposed Section 144 under CrPc within 100 meters radius of his residence, Raj Bhavan and ED office in Ranchi on Tuesday. According to news agency ANI, the order will remain in force till 10 pm. During this period, any kind of protest or demonstration has been banned. “According to the information received, there is information about protests, demonstrations, rallies etc., by various organizations/parties. The possibility of such programs causing disruption in government work, disrupting traffic, creating law and order problems and disturbing public peace cannot be ruled out,” the order said.

     

    Section 144 CrPc imposed within 100 meters radius of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s residence, Raj Bhavan and ED office in Ranchi pic.twitter.com/0A67WQykf5
    — ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2024

     

    This comes as the ED officials visited Soren’s Delhi home to question him in connection with a money laundering investigation.

    Will Record Statement Tomorrow: Soren

    Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Chief Minister, in a letter to the Enforcement Directorate, said he will record his statement before the agency officials at 1 pm on Wednesday at his residence. While accepting to record his statement, the Jharkhand chief minister alleged that questioning him at this time was more political and was meant to disrupt the functioning of his government.

    “You are well aware that the Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly will be held between 2nd and 29th February 2024 and the undersigned will be pre-occupied with preparations for the same apart from other prior scheduled official engagements,” the letter written by Soren to ED’s Ranchi office said.

    “In these circumstances, your insistence to record a further statement of the undersigned on or before 31 January 2024 reeks of malice and reveals your political agenda to disrupt the functioning of the State Government and prevent an elected representative of the people from discharging his official duties,” Soren’s letter to the ED said.

    ED Seizes Soren’s BMW Car

    On Monday, Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials seized a luxury car belonging to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren from his Delhi residence late on Monday, in connection with the ongoing probe into a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. Sources revealed that the BMW confiscated by the ED on Monday is believed to be acquired from the “proceeds of crime,” a significant development in the ongoing probe. Soren reportedly utilized this vehicle during his stays in the national capital, adding to the gravity of the seizure.

    Besides, the Enforcement Directorate team also recovered Rs 36 lakhs in cash from Soren’s Delhi residence, said sources.

     

    Section 144 CrPc imposed within 100 meters radius of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s residence, Raj Bhavan and ED office in Ranchi pic.twitter.com/0A67WQykf5
    — ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2024

     

    Despite repeated summons, Soren has eluded interrogation, raising suspicions about his involvement in the case. He has notably ignored seven summons issued by the ED, with indications that he may contest them legally.

    Cat-And-Mouse Chase

    ED officials, determined to locate Soren, have scoured both Jharkhand Bhawan and his father’s residence, but to no avail. His chartered plane remained grounded at the Delhi Airport, further complicating the search. In a bid to counter the ED’s actions, Soren appears poised to challenge the ED summons in the Supreme Court, underscoring the escalating legal battle between the two parties.

    The Enforcement Directorate officials visited the residence of Soren in the national capital on Monday night for questioning him in connection with the alleged land scam case and said that the Jharkhand Chief Minister could not be located.

    What Are The Allegations Against Soren?

    The money laundering case, amounting to a staggering Rs 600 crore, alleges a widespread conspiracy involving the illicit transfer and sale of government land to developers. Notably, the ED has apprehended 14 individuals thus far, including high-ranking officials like IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan.

    Conspiracy By BJP: Soren

    However, Soren has vehemently denied the accusations, attributing them to a concerted effort to malign his reputation. He has rallied support from his party members, vowing to confront the purported conspirators head-on.

    Political Turmoil In Jharkhand

    The Jharkhand BJP has seized upon the situation, accusing Soren of evading authorities and undermining the state’s integrity. The BJP has now alleged that Soren has “gone missing.” “Today, the honour and respect of the people of Jharkhand were destroyed by our Chief Minister Hemant Soren ji, just by going missing,” BJP parliamentarian from Jharkhand, Nishikant Dubey, wrote on his X timeline. Reports about Soren’s alleged escape from his Delhi residence shrouded in secrecy and speculation, have further fuelled the controversy surrounding his involvement in the case. 

  • ED continues to quiz Soren in money laundering case, Section 144 clamped near CM’s residence

    Enforcement Directorate sleuths continued to question Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren at his official residence here on Saturday in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. The entire area has turned into a virtual fortress with heavy deployment of security forces, an official said.

    Soren, 48, who is also the executive president of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), had earlier skipped seven summonses by the ED. He finally gave his consent after the probe agency summoned him for the eighth time.

    The ED personnel reached Soren’s residence around 1 pm, the official said, adding, the questioning has been underway for more than six hours now. Security personnel, deployed in large numbers at the spot, are using high-resolution body cameras to keep track of activities around the house, he said.

    The measure comes in the wake of the recent attack on ED officials in West Bengal during a raid pertaining to an alleged multi-crore ration distribution scam.

    The Ranchi district administration has also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC near Soren’s house, disallowing any demonstration, carrying weapons and public meetings. “The restrictions will be in place till 11 pm on Saturday,” Ranchi SDO Utkarsh Kumar told PTI. Security has also been bolstered outside the residences of key BJP leaders in the state and the party headquarters as a precautionary measure.

    Meanwhile, the JMM convened a meeting of its legislators at the chief minister’s residence.

    “The ED is questioning the CM… We are also holding our meeting… Any strategy about the future course of action will be made based on the outcome of the questioning,” JMM general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya told PTI.

    Jamtara MLA Irfan Ansari, who met Soren before being quizzed by the ED officials, said the chief minister asked party workers to be patient.

    “The CM, after seeing me, turned emotional and asked us to have patience,” Ansari said.

    Opposing the ED action, JMM workers and tribal outfits staged protests across the state. Asked about the demonstrations, Bhattacharya said those were spontaneous, and his party had not taken any call on that.

    JMM workers armed with bows and arrows were also spotted at some distance from Soren’s house.

    Congress’ Jharkhand president Rajesh Thakur said that party MLAs were present to express solidarity with the CM.

    Those present inside Soren’s residence include Social Welfare Minister Joba Manjhi, Congress legislator Deepika Pandey Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji, besides several JMM legislators.

    Jharkhand Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan, DGP Ajay Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Ranchi, Rahul Kumar Sinha and SSP Chandan Kumar Sinha are also at the spot, officials said.

    The investigation pertains to a “huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia” in Jharkhand, according to the central probe agency.

    It has so far arrested 14 people in the case, including 2011-batch IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan, who served as the director of the state’s Social Welfare Department and deputy commissioner of Ranchi.

    JMM MLA Ramdas Soren claimed that this was an attempt to destabilise the Jharkhand government.

    The BJP, however, alleged that the chief minister was playing the “victim card” by sponsoring protests across the state.

    “The CM should not have been given the privilege of interrogation at his official residence. Soren is scared of being arrested and that is why he did not visit the ED office for questioning,” senior BJP leader Amar Bauri told PTI.

    Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi said the ED agreed to Soren’s request for questioning at the chief minister’s house out of respect for him.

    “Now, we hope that the CM will also show generosity and issue an order to the Jharkhand Police today itself that instead of calling any accused to the police station and interrogating him, officers should go to the house of the accused and question,” Marandi wrote on X.

    He also claimed that tribals in the state are not with Soren anymore, and they want his exit.

    Soren had filed a petition before the Supreme Court and the Jharkhand High Court, seeking protection from the ED action, terming the summonses “unwarranted”. Both the courts subsequently dismissed his petitions.

    Jharkhand Governor C P Radhakrishnan had earlier this week said that the ED was doing its duty and Soren should provide the “right answers” to the probe agency.

    In the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, the ruling coalition holds 47 seats, including 29 MLAs from the JMM, 17 from the Congress, and one each from the RJD and the Communist Party of India (Marxists-Leninist).

  • ‘Why send summons, arrest me…’: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren dares ED, Centre; skips summons

    Express News Service

    RANCHI: A day after he was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) asking him to appear before it for questioning, Chief Minister Hemant Soren addressing a gathering of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) at his residence in Ranchi, dared the central agency to arrest him if he had really committed any crime.

    Soren also claimed that this government will complete its term and that nobody can remove it from power. “Today, I have been invited as a chief guest to attend the tribal dance festival in Chhattisgarh and ED has summoned me to answer their questions. If I have really done any crime, then come and arrest me if you can. Why issue notices to me, if I have done any crime….. Why making an inquiry, come and arrest me directly,” remarked Soren.

    Attacking the BJP, Soren claimed the ED’s summons to him was a part of a conspiracy hatched by the saffron party to destabilise his democratically elected government. He urged them to be ready to oppose any injustice meted out to tribals, Dalits and backward people by “feudal forces”.

    “We have identified a few external gangs in the state who are not letting the state’s Adivasis stand on their feet. This state will have the rule of Jharkhandis and not external forces… BJP will be wiped out in the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly polls,” Soren said.

    Soren further added that when the Adivasi and Moolwasi people have started making progress, they were being crushed with the help of central agencies or the courts.

    He said that he wasn’t worried as he enjoyed the blessings of the people. “You must be clear that I am not worried at all as such incidents make me stronger… whenever such circumstances arise before us, the JMM moves forward with double strength… as we get more strength to fight back,” Soren said.

    ALSO READ | Sparks fly as Jharkhand Governor seeks ‘2nd opinion’ on Soren

    Urging his workers to be ready for a political fight, Soren said they need to go back to villages and expose the “conspiracy of the BJP”.

    “We have not done anything yet. ‘Jab Jharkhandi apni cheezo pe utar aayega, toh wo din door nahi jahaan aap logon ko yahaan sar chhupaane ka mauka bhi nahi milega,” he said.

    Soren also warned the tribals living in Gujarat to get cautious and take a pledge that not a single seat would go to the BJP in the upcoming Assembly polls.

    Soren was summoned by ED on Thursday at its regional office here at 11 am for investigation over contravention of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and in a money laundering probe linked to an alleged illegal mining case in the Sahebganj district.

    The CM faces disqualification from the state assembly in the case.

    Security arrangements have been beefed up at various places in the Jharkhand capital Ranchi including the offices of the BJP and the ED.

    The ruling coalition also comprising the Congress and the RJD held a meeting at the CM’s residence on Wednesday evening after the ED summoned Soren.

    It was announced that the UPA will launch a state-wide protest against the “attempts to destabilise a democratically elected government”.

    RANCHI: A day after he was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) asking him to appear before it for questioning, Chief Minister Hemant Soren addressing a gathering of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) at his residence in Ranchi, dared the central agency to arrest him if he had really committed any crime.

    Soren also claimed that this government will complete its term and that nobody can remove it from power. “Today, I have been invited as a chief guest to attend the tribal dance festival in Chhattisgarh and ED has summoned me to answer their questions. If I have really done any crime, then come and arrest me if you can. Why issue notices to me, if I have done any crime….. Why making an inquiry, come and arrest me directly,” remarked Soren.

    Attacking the BJP, Soren claimed the ED’s summons to him was a part of a conspiracy hatched by the saffron party to destabilise his democratically elected government. He urged them to be ready to oppose any injustice meted out to tribals, Dalits and backward people by “feudal forces”.

    “We have identified a few external gangs in the state who are not letting the state’s Adivasis stand on their feet. This state will have the rule of Jharkhandis and not external forces… BJP will be wiped out in the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly polls,” Soren said.

    Soren further added that when the Adivasi and Moolwasi people have started making progress, they were being crushed with the help of central agencies or the courts.

    He said that he wasn’t worried as he enjoyed the blessings of the people. “You must be clear that I am not worried at all as such incidents make me stronger… whenever such circumstances arise before us, the JMM moves forward with double strength… as we get more strength to fight back,” Soren said.

    ALSO READ | Sparks fly as Jharkhand Governor seeks ‘2nd opinion’ on Soren

    Urging his workers to be ready for a political fight, Soren said they need to go back to villages and expose the “conspiracy of the BJP”.

    “We have not done anything yet. ‘Jab Jharkhandi apni cheezo pe utar aayega, toh wo din door nahi jahaan aap logon ko yahaan sar chhupaane ka mauka bhi nahi milega,” he said.

    Soren also warned the tribals living in Gujarat to get cautious and take a pledge that not a single seat would go to the BJP in the upcoming Assembly polls.

    Soren was summoned by ED on Thursday at its regional office here at 11 am for investigation over contravention of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and in a money laundering probe linked to an alleged illegal mining case in the Sahebganj district.

    The CM faces disqualification from the state assembly in the case.

    Security arrangements have been beefed up at various places in the Jharkhand capital Ranchi including the offices of the BJP and the ED.

    The ruling coalition also comprising the Congress and the RJD held a meeting at the CM’s residence on Wednesday evening after the ED summoned Soren.

    It was announced that the UPA will launch a state-wide protest against the “attempts to destabilise a democratically elected government”.

  • CM Hemant Soren brother’s ‘undergarment’ remark sparks controversy

    By Express News Service

    RANCHI: Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s brother and JMM MLA Basant Soren once again has landed into controversy due to his remark to justify his absence from Dumka that has still not recovered from the shock of the two consecutive murders of two minor girls which took place within a fortnight, including a tribal.

    Basant Soren was not seen in his constituency while two cold-blooded incidents took place in Dumka.

    First, a 17-year-old school girl was set on fire after pouring petrol on her from the window while she was sleeping at her home allegedly for denying the friendship proposal of her neighbour Shahrukh. Second, a 14-year-old tribal girl was allegedly raped for several months and hanged by a tree after killing her, several kilometers away from home.

    Basant Soren visited the bereaved families on Wednesday. When asked why he was not seen in Dumka for the past few days, he told reporters that he had gone to Delhi for purchasing undergarments.

    “My undergarments had fallen short so I went to Delhi to purchase them,” he said, in his usual casual approach. To another question on whether he always purchases his undergarments from Delhi, he replied yes.

    However, Basant said that there were some disturbances in Dumka but everything was normal now.

    Earlier also, Basant Soren was in the eye of the storm of many for his statement that the schoolgirl, who was set on fire by a stalker Shahrukh on August 23, was having an affair with the accused.

    Reacting sharply over his undergarment remarks, Godda BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said that they were so much insensitive towards the plight of the electorates. Notably, residents took to the streets in protest against the two consecutive incidents which took place within a fortnight and hogged the national limelight with the accused in both cases belonging to the Muslim community.

    RANCHI: Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s brother and JMM MLA Basant Soren once again has landed into controversy due to his remark to justify his absence from Dumka that has still not recovered from the shock of the two consecutive murders of two minor girls which took place within a fortnight, including a tribal.

    Basant Soren was not seen in his constituency while two cold-blooded incidents took place in Dumka.

    First, a 17-year-old school girl was set on fire after pouring petrol on her from the window while she was sleeping at her home allegedly for denying the friendship proposal of her neighbour Shahrukh. Second, a 14-year-old tribal girl was allegedly raped for several months and hanged by a tree after killing her, several kilometers away from home.

    Basant Soren visited the bereaved families on Wednesday. When asked why he was not seen in Dumka for the past few days, he told reporters that he had gone to Delhi for purchasing undergarments.

    “My undergarments had fallen short so I went to Delhi to purchase them,” he said, in his usual casual approach. To another question on whether he always purchases his undergarments from Delhi, he replied yes.

    However, Basant said that there were some disturbances in Dumka but everything was normal now.

    Earlier also, Basant Soren was in the eye of the storm of many for his statement that the schoolgirl, who was set on fire by a stalker Shahrukh on August 23, was having an affair with the accused.

    Reacting sharply over his undergarment remarks, Godda BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said that they were so much insensitive towards the plight of the electorates. Notably, residents took to the streets in protest against the two consecutive incidents which took place within a fortnight and hogged the national limelight with the accused in both cases belonging to the Muslim community.

  • Jharkhand: 16 BJP MLAs are in their contact seeking their consent to join the party, claims JMM

    Express News Service

    RANCHI: Amid speculation rife over possible political realignment in Jharkhand, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday claimed that 16 of the BJP MLAs are in their contact and have requested the party leadership to include them in the party.

    JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya told that dissatisfied with the self-proclaimed legislative party leader Babulal Marandi and the party’s working style in Jharkhand, 16 of the BJP MLAs have requested JMM to include them in the party.

    “Some of the BJP MLAs, having expertise in executing exercises like Maharashtra, told us that they would form a group to switch the party. JMM is thinking about it seriously, if they want to support us we will definitely welcome them,” Bhattacharya said.

    Notably, all these developments are taking place at the time when Soren and his associates are facing legal trouble, both in the Jharkhand High Court and the Election Commission of India, over the charges of corruption and misuse of power.

    The BJP has already moved a plea before the Election Commission seeking his disqualification for alleged irregularities in the grant of mining leases and also on transactions of some shell companies purportedly operated by his family members and associates.

    RANCHI: Amid speculation rife over possible political realignment in Jharkhand, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday claimed that 16 of the BJP MLAs are in their contact and have requested the party leadership to include them in the party.

    JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya told that dissatisfied with the self-proclaimed legislative party leader Babulal Marandi and the party’s working style in Jharkhand, 16 of the BJP MLAs have requested JMM to include them in the party.

    “Some of the BJP MLAs, having expertise in executing exercises like Maharashtra, told us that they would form a group to switch the party. JMM is thinking about it seriously, if they want to support us we will definitely welcome them,” Bhattacharya said.

    Notably, all these developments are taking place at the time when Soren and his associates are facing legal trouble, both in the Jharkhand High Court and the Election Commission of India, over the charges of corruption and misuse of power.

    The BJP has already moved a plea before the Election Commission seeking his disqualification for alleged irregularities in the grant of mining leases and also on transactions of some shell companies purportedly operated by his family members and associates.

  • Rajya Sabha polls: Congress manages to convince JMM to back its candidate in Jharkhand

    Express News Service

    RANCHI: Amid trouble mounting on CM Hemant Soren over mining lease allegations, Congress is said to have managed to convince JMM to back its candidate in the upcoming Rajya Sabha (RS) Polls in Jharkhand. JMM insiders informed that Soren, after a long meeting with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi at New Delhi on Saturday, has withdrawn his claim over the RS seat in Jharkhand and agreed to back Congress candidate for the same.

    The announcement of the candidate from the Congress Party will is likely to take place by late in the evening.

    “I won’t speak on whether the candidate for Rajya Sabha elections from Jharkhand will be of the Congress or of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), still there’s some time. Discussions are going on regarding it and after that, it’ll be announced,” CM Hemant Soren told media in New Delhi.

    Jharkhand Congress president Rajesh Thakur also asserted that a leader from Jharkhand should go to Rajya Sabha.

    “Still, we will follow what our president Sonia Gandhi says. The list will come today and positive talks were held (with JMM) and I can say that there will be a Congress candidate,” said Thakur.

    Notably, two seats of Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand will go to the polls as the tenures of Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and BJP MP Mahesh Poddar are ending on July 7. The last date for filing nominations is May 31, while the voting will be held on June 10.

    In 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, JMM has 30 MLAs and a candidate needs only 27 votes to win. Congress on the other hand has 17 MLAs while BJP has 26 MLAs along with 2 MLAs of AJSU. Besides RJD, CPI (ML) and NCP each having 1 MLA, Jharkhand Assembly also has 2 independent MLAs.

    Earlier a week ago, JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya, holding a press conference, had announced that it has already been decided ahead of 2019 elections that JMM will field its candidate for all Rajay Sabha seats getting vacant during 2019 and 2024. But, soon after meeting Sonia Gandhi, Soren changed his stand.

    In the present scenario, the grand alliance will get one of the two seats and BJP is also likely to get one seat in Rajya Sabha, if it succeeds in bringing the two independent MLAs to its side.

    JMM chief Shibu Soren and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Deepak Prakash had won the two seats in 2020. The Congress had fielded Shahzada Anwar as its candidate who lost it for not having adequate numbers.