‘Raj Bhavan involved in my arrest’: Hemant Soren criticizes Governor CP Radhakrishnan
Jharkhand: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who is in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate, met Governor C.P. Is accused. He was involved in the arrest of Radhakrishnan while speaking in the Assembly on Monday before helping his successor and fellow JMM leader Champai Soren win the trust vote.
Hemant, who resigned as chief minister on Wednesday night shortly before he was arrested on money-laundering charges in connection with the land deal, challenged the BJP-led Center to prove the allegations. He said that if the allegations are proved then he will leave Jharkhand.
Hemant said, “On the night of January 31, a dark night and a dark chapter was added to the country’s democracy. I think this is the first time in the history of the country that a Chief Minister has been arrested inside the Raj Bhavan.” Hindi during the discussion before the trust vote.
“I don’t remember this ever happening before. I think Raj Bhavan was also involved in this episode.”
Hemant was allowed by a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act court in Ranchi to participate in Monday’s trust vote, which Champai won 47-29.
The former chief minister, in his public meetings before his arrest, had accused the Center of trying to topple his government since its formation in December 2019.
On Monday he said, “They have been planning this episode of January 31 for a long time since 2022. They were cooking it on low flame. This dish was not ready… but they served a half-cooked dish and arrested him.” Me.”
Hemant accused the BJP led central government of disrespecting tribals and Dalits. “The system they have created has no hesitation in saying that they (tribals) come from the forest and they should stay there,” he said.
“Where does so much hatred come from? This is beyond my understanding… We came out of the forest and sat near him. They want us to stay in the forest because when we used to sit near them, their clothes started getting stained,” Hemant said.
“If our opponents have their way, we will have to go back to the forest and live the life lived by our ancestors.”
JMM working president Hemant said that he will not accept defeat.
“They think that by putting me behind bars they will succeed in their plans. But this is Jharkhand. This is a state where, in every corner, a tribal, Dalit and backward class (person) gave up his life to save other tribals and Dalits,” he said.
“I have not accepted defeat and will give a befitting reply to such feudal forces at the right time.”
He further said, “Today, I have been arrested for grabbing 8.5 acres of land. If they (BJP) have courage, let them present the documents showing the land registered in my name. If this is proved then I will leave politics and leave Jharkhand.
Minutes after winning the trust vote, Champai said, “I am proud to say that my government will be the second part of Hemant Soren’s government and will continue the social development done by Hemant Babu for Dalits, tribal people, Dalits and the poor. Will take it forward.”
This appeared to be a response to the allegation by several BJP leaders that Champai’s government would be similar to the Hemant government in terms of corruption.
“Our (ruling alliance) unity foiled their (BJP) conspiracy,” Champai said.
Four MLAs from the 81-member assembly were absent during the trust vote, while the fifth – JMM’s Sarfaraz Ahmed had recently resigned.
The four members who were absent were BJP’s Inderjit Mahato, who is undergoing treatment in Hyderabad, JMM member Ramdas Soren, who is undergoing treatment in Delhi, and independents Amit Yadav and Saryu Rai.
Champai and Hemant sat in a corner after the day’s session, a sign that the new chief minister would be taking advice from his predecessor.
A senior JMM leader said the discussion was related to the upcoming Cabinet expansion, which is likely to take place soon after the two-day special session of the Assembly ends on Tuesday.
“Hemant Soren has given the list of JMM, Congress and RJD leaders who will be included in the cabinet, along with the portfolios to be allotted to them. There can be two Deputy Chief Ministers. The cabinet expansion will probably take place on February 7,” the leader said.
On February 2, along with Champai, Alamgir Alam (Congress) and Satyanand Bhokta (RJD) took oath as ministers.
HC hearing
The Jharkhand High Court on Monday heard Hemant’s plea seeking quashing of his arrest and charges against him, and sought response from the ED by February 9. The next hearing is on February 12.