Ranchi, The political landscape in Jharkhand is witnessing high-stakes drama as Chief Minister Hemant Soren faces an imminent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). As the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) prepares to implement its Plan B, making Hemant Soren’s wife Kalpana the leader, a new obstacle has arisen in the form of Sita Soren, the elder bahu of the influential Soren family.
Plan B in Motion:
With Hemant Soren in the ED’s crosshairs, the JMM had planned to make Kalpana Soren the Chief Minister. However, Sita Soren, a three-time MLA and wife of Hemant’s late elder brother Durga Soren, has emerged as a formidable challenger, injecting uncertainty into the family and the party’s political plans.
Political Maneuvers:
Amidst the crisis, MLAs of the JMM, Congress, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) coalition were flown to Raipur, Chhattisgarh, to prevent any attempts of poaching by rival parties. The luxury resort politics unfolded in Nava Raipur as Hemant Soren accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to destabilize his government by luring coalition MLAs.
Sita Soren’s Opposition:
Sita Soren, expressing concerns over the effectiveness of the Jharkhand government, accused it of failing to curb the “loot of land” in the mineral-rich state. Her critique adds to the challenges faced by Hemant Soren’s leadership, creating a divide within the coalition.
Family Feud and Political Uncertainty:
As the JMM attempts to execute its Plan B, reports suggest that 35 out of 49 coalition MLAs attended a meeting, indicating a potential rift within the party. Sita Soren appears to be rallying support against the JMM’s alternative plan, intensifying the family feud and casting shadows of uncertainty over the political future of Jharkhand.
Sita Soren’s Allegations:
Sita Soren has not shied away from slamming the Hemant Soren government, citing rampant corruption. She claimed that the “Guruji’s (Shibu Soren) and my husband’s vision of Jal, Jungle, Jameen (water, forest, and land) is being destroyed,” pointing to alleged deviations from the party’s founding principles. Additionally, she accused corrupt officers of being shielded, leading to disappointment among the people.
Hemant Soren’s Troubles:
Hemant Soren, already facing opposition from the BJP and scrutiny from central law enforcement agencies, has been on the defensive. His surrender of a mining lease in 2022 and ongoing summonses from the ED have added to the challenges faced by his government.
As the political turmoil in Jharkhand unfolds, the clash within the Soren family and the JMM poses a significant threat to the stability of the government. The outcome of this power struggle will determine the future course of politics in the mineral-rich state, with Sita Soren emerging as a central figure in the unfolding drama.
