Hemant Soren likely to reach ED office for questioning tomorrow

However, prior to that, the political atmosphere heated up in the state with a series of political party meetings being held.

Earlier in the day, a meeting of the JMM legislator wing was held while the MLAs of the Congress too had a separate meeting.

In the evening, the MLAs of the UPA gathered at the Chief Minister's residence for a fresh round of meeting and finalising the strategy for Thursday.

It is being speculated that along with the Chief Minister all the MLAs of the UPA may also reach the ED office in a show of strength for the government.

A senior JMM functionary said that before leaving for the ED office a meeting of the UPA MLAs will be held on Thursday morning at the Chief Minister's residence.

It is also likely that the Chief Minister may address the media before departing for the ED office during which the presence of the MLAs will be ensured to show everything is fine within the government.

On Wednesday evening after the end of the UPA meeting JMM quota minister Mithlesh Thakur said that Chief Minister has special privilege as to whether he goes to the ED office or not but there was no doubt that the government will complete its tenure.

Health Minister and Congress leader Banna Gupta said that the parties of Mahagathbandhan believed in the constitution however he said no when asked whether MLAs and ministers will go to the ED office along with the Chief Minister.

However, he said that no one has control over workers as if they wish they will go.

Meanwhile, security has been increased outside the zonal office of the ED. On Thursday more than 200 jawans will be deployed for duty along with senior police personnel.

The investigating agency had earlier written a letter to the state Police headquarters.

Moreover, security has been increased outside the offices of BJP and AJSU as the offices of these two parties fall on the route that the convoy of the Chief Minister is likely to take to reach the ED office.

Elsewhere in a show of strength hundreds of workers of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha gathered at the Morhabadi Grounds and raised slogans in support of Dishom Guru Shibu Soren and Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

For the JMM it also received a boost as former BJP MLA from Gandey Jaiprakash Verma along with his hundreds of supporters joined the party and accused the BJP of harassing him.

On Nov 9, the ED sent a second summon to Hemant Soren in the illegal stone mining case and had asked him to turn up before the Ranchi zonal office of the ED on Nov 17.

The Chief Minister wanted to turn up at the agency office on November 16 itself for questioning which was turned down by the agency citing technical issues.

Earlier, the ED had sent him the first notice on Nov 1. However, citing official engagements, Hemant Soren had sought three weeks’ time.