Hemant Soren
Angry Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren reacts over BJP's claim on EC's sealed report on his disqualification
Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who is facing disqualification as an MLA, Thursday said he hadn't received any communication about his disqualification though he saw several media reports and BJP statements that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has "recommended his disqualification as an MLA", media reports said.
Reacting to the BJP's claim, an angry Soren said an ECI report is always a sealed cover report and wondered how the saffron party knew its contents.
"It apparently seems that BJP leaders, including a BJP MP and his puppet journalists, have themselves drafted the ECI report, which is otherwise a sealed cover report," Soren said in a statement, reported NDTV.
BJP had accused Soren of acquiring a mining lease and sought his disqualification on the grounds. Alleging violation of Section 9A of the Representation of the People Act, BJP approached the Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais, who in turn forwarded it to the Election Commission as required under Article 192 of the Constitution.
The Governor is bound to follow the opinion of the EC, which acts as a quasi-judicial body in such matters.
An NDTV report said that BJP was confident that its plea had succeeded and sought mid-term polls on "moral grounds".
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said the assembly should be dissolved and elections should be held in all 81 constituencies.
Congress, the junior ally of Hemant Soren's Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in the Mahagatbandhan government, is confident that there is no danger to the coalition government.
Alamgir Alam, leader of the Congress Legislature Party, said the Mahagatbandhan government has the requisite numbers to stay in power in any case.
He met the CM, who told him that he hadn't received any communication about the EC's sealed report, and they decided to leave the matter to the Governor. Alam also said that they were working on their strategy, said the NDTV report.
Alam also ruled out any question of fresh elections or a new face as the CM as the alliance had enough numbers to be in power and the partners wanted Hemant Soren to continue.
The EC concluded the hearing of both parties on Monday and sent its report to the Governor's office on Tuesday. The report was received the next day at Raj Bhawan.
On August 12, Hemant Soren's team concluded its arguments after which BJP filed its rejoinder.
On August 18, both sides filed their written submissions.
The Governor was out of town and returned this afternoon and the decision on Soren's future is likely to be out anytime now.
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