Court Allows Hemant Soren to Attend Jharkhand Trust Vote in Assembly

Ranchi: A special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court in Ranchi on Saturday granted permission to arrested Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and former CM Hemant Soren to participate in the trust vote in the Jharkhand Assembly on February 5 and 6.

Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday in a money laundering case. He had filed a petition before the special PMLA court, seeking permission to participate in the trust vote sought by the new Champai Soren government in Jharkhand.

Before his arrest on Jan 31 night, Hemant Soren named Champai Soren as his successor. Champai Soren was sworn in as the new Jharkhand Chief Minister on February 2. The Champai Soren-led government needs the support of 41 MLAs to meet the 41 majority mark. He claimed that he had the support of 43 MLAs.

Around 40 MLAs of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance are now in Hyderabad because of fears that the BJP may try to “poach” them ahead of the trust vote.