20 January,2024 10:24 AM IST | Ranchi | mid-day online correspondent
Hemant Soren
The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) called a meeting of all its MPs at the Chief Minister's House in Ranchi ahead of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's scheduled grilling by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case relating to an alleged land scam.
Soren, the executive president of JMM, had previously ignored seven ED summonses before agreeing to attend the questioning after being summoned for the eighth time. The ED officers were supposed to visit the CM House at about noon for the interrogation.
JMM's general secretary and spokesperson, Supriyo Bhattacharya, stated that the meeting aimed to discuss the situation, and any strategy for future actions would depend on the outcome of the ED questioning. Regarding tribal protests against the ED summons, Bhattacharya mentioned it was spontaneous, and the party had not made any decisions on the matter.
"We have convened a meeting of JMM legislators at CM residence before the questioning to discuss the situation. Any strategy about the future course of action will be made based on the outcome of the ED questioning," Supriyo Bhattacharya told PTI.
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Congress Jharkhand President Rajesh Thakur expressed the party's solidarity with the CM and announced that Congress MLAs would gather at the CM's residence to show support. Meanwhile, heavy security arrangements were made at the CM's residence and other key points in Ranchi.
"Congress MLAs will also gather at the CM residence to express their solidarity. We stand united," Thakur told PTI.
The ED investigation focuses on an alleged "huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia" in Jharkhand. The agency has already arrested 14 individuals, including a 2011-batch IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan.
Soren had sought protection from the Supreme Court and the Jharkhand High Court, terming the ED summonses "unwarranted," but both courts dismissed his petitions. Jharkhand Governor C P Radhakrishnan remarked that the ED is performing its duty, and the CM should provide appropriate answers to the probe agency.
In the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, the ruling coalition comprises 47 MLAs, including 29 from the JMM, 17 from the Congress, and one from the RJD.
