Jharkhand: Governor yet to take a decision on Champai Soren's claim even as fear of Operation Lotus grips ruling alliance

Amid a political crisis in Jharkhand, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha legislative party leader Champai Soren has called on Governor C P Radhakrishnan and urged him to accept his claim to form the government at the earliest. However, amid fear of Operation Lotus in the state, the Governor is yet to take a decision on Champai Soren's claim.

Ruling alliance may send its MLAs to Telangana

After the arrest of Hemant Soren in Jharkhand, now the possibility of 'Operation Lotus' is being expressed in the state. There are reports that the ruling alliance is preparing to send its MLAs to Telangana out of fear of Operation Lotus. It is being said that 35 MLAs of the alliance can soon be shifted to Hyderabad.

After the arrest of Hemant Soren in the money laundering case related to the land scam and his resignation, a big upheaval can be seen in the politics of the state. In some media reports, fear of President's rule has also been raised.

To form a government in Jharkhand, 41 MLAs are required. At present, the number of MLAs of the Grand Alliance (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Congress, Left parties and RJD) in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly is 47. At the same time, the opposition party Bharatiya Janata Party has 30 MLAs.

Guv assured delegation of JMM-led alliance 

Champai Sore said that the Governor assured a delegation of the JMM-led alliance that he would soon decide on the matter.

"We requested the Governor to take a decision at the earliest as it is over 20 hours without any government in Jharkhand," said Champai Soren after meeting the governor at Raj Bhavan.

'We stand united. Our alliance is very strong; no one can break it,' Champai Soren said on x.

"We will again seek time at noon tomorrow if the Governor fails to call us by then," Congress Legislative Party leader Alamgir Alam said after meeting the Governor.

3-judge SC bench to hear Hemant Soren's plea

The Supreme Court on Thursday set up a special three-judge bench to hear former Jharkhand chief minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren's plea against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. 

A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi will hear the plea of jailed JMM leader at 10.30 am on Friday.