Highlights
- Jharkhand CM membership hangs in balance over a mining lease case
- Ring-fencing of MLAs likely in a resort in a "friendly state"
- Ruling coalition has 49 MLAs in the 81-member Assembly
Jharkhand: Amid the deepening political crisis in Jharkhand due to the uncertainty over Chief Minister Hemant Soren's fate as an MLA, Soren and ruling legislators were seen leaving for some unknown destination on three buses. The three buses were occupied by the legislators of the ruling JMM-Congress-RJD coalition and guarded by security personnel.
The legislators are being shifted to a "friendly state", which could either be West Bengal or Chhattisgarh. Both states have non-BJP governments.
The development took place soon after a marathon third round of a meeting of legislators of the ruling alliance at the chief minister's residence to chalk out a strategy to deal with the emerging scenario.
Ruling MLAs took part in the meeting along with their luggage
Governor likely to send Soren's disqualification order to EC
Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais is likely to send the order of disqualification of Chief Minister Hemant Soren as an MLA to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The ECI had recommended Soren's disqualification as an MLA for violating electoral norms by extending a mining lease to himself, but there has been no official confirmation yet.
BJP is petitioner in the case
The BJP, the petitioner in the case, has sought Soren's disqualification for violating Section 9(A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which deals with disqualification for government contracts. The clause states that "a person shall be disqualified if, and for so long as, there subsists a contract entered into by him in the course of his trade or business with the appropriate government for the supply of goods to, or for the execution of any works undertaken by, that government".
The issue was referred to the governor and by him to the EC, as Article 192 of the Constitution states that on rulings regarding an MLA's disqualification, the question shall be referred to the governor who in turn "shall obtain the opinion of the Election Commission and shall act according to such opinion".
Also Read | Jharkhand crisis: Guv to take call on EC's view on disqualification of CM Soren as MLA
How numbers stack up in Jharkhand assembly
The ruling coalition has 49 MLAs in the 81-member Assembly. The JMM, as the largest party, has 30 MLAs, the Congress 18 legislators, and the RJD one. The main opposition BJP has 26 MLAs in the House.
The coalition partners had on Thursday claimed that there was no threat to the government. The JMM had exuded confidence that Soren will remain as the chief minister till 2024. The party also said it will move the Supreme Court if Soren is disqualified as an MLA.
Also Read | 'Hai Taiyaar Hum': Jharkhand CM tweets as uncertainty prevails over his chief ministership
