In a decisive victory, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress coalition government, led by Champai Soren, successfully won the trust vote in the Jharkhand assembly on Monday.
The ruling alliance secured a total of 47 votes, including the support of a nominated member, in the 81-member House. The opposition NDA alliance garnered 29 votes. The floor test became necessary after the recent swearing-in of the new government under Champai Soren, a few months ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections.
Succeeding Hemant Soren, Champai Soren, 67, took charge after his predecessor’s resignation following arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering land scam case. During the floor test proceedings, Soren, the JMM executive president, was present in the House, having been granted permission to attend.
Addressing the assembly, Soren accused Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan of involvement in his arrest. He stated, “On the night of January 31, for the first time in the country, a CM was arrested…and I believe that Raj Bhavan was also involved in this incident.” Soren emphasized the challenges faced by tribals and Dalits under the present regime, pledging a return with more strength and vowing to thwart opposition conspiracies.
Currently in five-day custody of the ED, Soren used the floor test debate to accuse the BJP of utilizing central agencies to frame his predecessor in the case. “BJP tried to destabilize a democratically elected Jharkhand government,” remarked Champai Soren.
Reacting to the JMM-Cong government’s triumph in the trust vote, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh expressed confidence, stating, “There was no doubt. We were saying beforehand that we would win this Trust Vote with a good majority. 47 MLAs were in support. ‘Operation Keechad’ has failed.” The victory cements the stability of the Champai Soren-led government, setting the stage for its governance ahead of the impending elections.