Jharkhand: Hemant Soren Wins Floor Test, Secures Mandate with 45 Votes
Ranchi, 8th July 2024: On Monday, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren successfully underwent a floor test in the state assembly, securing 45 votes out of the total 76 members present. The floor test took place during a special session of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, following Soren’s swearing-in ceremony on July 4 at Raj Bhavan, Ranchi.
During his address preceding the floor test, Soren indirectly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), referring to “arrogant people intoxicated with power” who attempted to suppress him. However, with the backing of the people, he emerged victorious after his release from jail.
Hemant Soren had been granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court on June 28, following his nearly five-month-long incarceration in connection with a land scam case.
Before Hemant Soren’s return, Champai Soren briefly served as the chief minister of Jharkhand for five months. Champai Soren took oath on February 2 at Raj Bhavan after Hemant Soren’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 31 in a money laundering case related to the alleged land scam. Hemant Soren had resigned as chief minister before his arrest.
Hemant Soren’s previous tenure as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand commenced on December 29, 2019, on ‘Sankalp Diwas,’ marking a new era for the state.
In the 2019 assembly elections, the JMM allied with the Congress and Lalu Prasad’s RJD, securing a comfortable majority with 47 seats in the 81-member house.