A day after the arrest of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a money laundering case in an alleged land scam, members of the INDIA bloc slammed the arrest by the Enforcement Directorate, accusing the BJP of attempting to destabilise the government by using such probe agencies.

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, a crucial part of the INDIA bloc, targeted the saffron party following Soren’s arrest. He accused BJP in a social media post on X of engaging in anti-tribal actions in Jharkhand, claiming that the party aims to retain power through undemocratic means. Yadav asserted that the BJP’s fear of defeat in the 2024 elections has led to actions like arresting elected Chief Ministers and manipulating ballots.

Also Read:Hemant Soren moves Supreme Court challenging ED arrest, hearing on February 2

“Jharkhand will not bow down! The anti-tribal face of the BJP is coming to the fore in Jharkhand. Jharkhand’s courageous warrior Shri Hemant Soren ji has always been committed to protecting the tribals and tribal areas of BJP and stood as a wall in front of the corrupt politicians and capitalists of BJP so that Jharkhand can be saved from exploitation. That is why they are being treated so badly. This is an insult to the public opinion of Jharkhand. That is why every resident of Jharkhand will vote against BJP this time and BJP will have to face a historic defeat.” the post read.

Also Read:‘Will not cow down…truth will prevail’: Hemant Soren on ED arrest

Congress also aimed at the BJP, senior leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the central government, accusing it of misusing ED, CBI, and IT to imprison opposition leaders. In a post on X, Ramesh stated, “To make false allegations against the opposition to hide his crime is the way of ‘Ahankaracharya’! The Modi government, which has put opposition leaders in jail by misusing ED, CBI and IT, is now hatching another conspiracy.”

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi also condemned the BJP-led central government, alleging the misuse of central agencies. “ED, CBI, IT etc. are no longer government agencies, now they have become BJP’s ‘eliminate opposition cell’. The BJP itself, steeped in corruption, is running a campaign to destroy democracy in its obsession with power” Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X.

Also Read:Who will be Jharkhand’s CM? All eyes on Governor after Hemant Soren’s arrest

On Thursday, Hemant Soren, represented by lawyers Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, agreed to consider the plea. The court is set to review Soren’s petition on Friday, February 2.

Soren tendered his resignation and was later arrested by the ED in a land scam case on Wednesday.

Following this, Jharkhand transport minister Champai Soren, named as JMM legislative party leader, wrote to the Governor, staking a claim to form the new government in the state. Champai Soren, a seven-time MLA, represents the Seraikella constituency and was an independent MLA before joining the JMM.