Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) legislative party leader Champai Soren is all set to take oath as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand today at 12.15 PM in the Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi. Champai Soren got nominated for the post after the approval from Governor C P Radhakrishnan.

Soren will be taking charge as the CM of the state, following the arrest of JMM leader and former Chief Minister Hemant Soren by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged money laundering case.

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

The Governor on Thursday extended an invitation to Champai Soren at Raj Bhavan to initiate the process of forming the government in the state. Champai Soren, a staunch supporter of JMM leader Hemant Soren, is tasked with proving his majority in a floor test within the next 10 days.

Champai Soren and 43 legislators met the Governor yesterday at the Raj Bhavan, staking claim to form the government in the state.

“We urged the Governor to initiate the process of forming the new government. The Governor has assured us that the process will begin soon,” Champai Soren told reporters following his meeting. “Currently, we have submitted the report with 43 MLAs in our support. We anticipate that the number will reach 46-47, ensuring a smooth process. Our ‘gathbandhan’ is very strong,” he added.

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

In escalating political tensions on Thursday evening, Congress leaders seized the opportunity to slam BJP, accusing it of “crushing the mandate in every state.” Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in a post on X, pointed out the disparity in the speed of inviting to form a government in Jharkhand compared to Bihar.

“First, the chief minister was forced to resign by imposing ED. He was arrested. Now there are reports that efforts are being made to buy the MLAs by stopping the formation of the new government. First Bihar, then Chandigarh, and now Jharkhand – BJP is crushing the mandate in every state by influencing through money,” she said.

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

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed disapproval of the delay by Jharkhand Governor in inviting Champai Soren to establish the government.

“In the House of 81 MLAs, only 41 are a majority. Despite having the support of 48 MLAs, not inviting Champai Soren Ji to form the government is clearly a disrespect to the Constitution and denial of public opinion,” Kharge said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Hemant Soren faced a one-day judicial custody issued by a special PMLA court in Ranchi in connection with an alleged land scam case. Soren’s arrest on Wednesday night by the Directorate of Enforcement came after seven hours of questioning in the money laundering case linked to the alleged land scam.