Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) legislative party leader Champai Soren officially assumed the role of Chief Minister in a swearing-in ceremony held at Raj Bhawan in Ranchi. Governor C P Radhakrishnan nominated Champai Soren for the position after he asserted his claim to form the government promptly.

The oath-taking event follows the resignation of Hemant Soren, the former Chief Minister, who stepped down amid his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case. Champai Soren, currently responsible for the transport portfolio, was chosen as the new JMM legislative party leader by the ruling alliance in the state.

Champai Soren, the newly appointed Chief Minister of Jharkhand, asserted that the opposition's endeavour to instigate instability in the state has been thwarted by the robustness of our alliance. "The strength of our alliance has effectively countered the opposition's attempts to create turmoil in Jharkhand," stated CM Champai Soren.

Following the oath-taking ceremony of Jharkhand's new Chief Minister Champai Soren, state Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan emphasized, "Our expectation remains singular – that the most economically disadvantaged individuals should be prioritized and served."

In a recent development, Jharkhand Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan engaged in discussions with Chief Minister Champai Soren, as well as the newly appointed ministers Alamgir Alam and Satyanand Bhokta.

In the 81-seat Jharkhand Assembly, the prevailing coalition commands a majority with 47 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Within this coalition, JMM holds 29 seats, Congress holds 17, and RJD holds 1. On the opposing side, the BJP secures 26 seats, while the AJSU Party holds three. Additionally, the NCP and CPI (ML) each have one representative, and there are two Independents in the assembly.

During the swearing-in ceremony, 35 MLAs affiliated with the JMM Alliance departed for Hyderabad and are expected to remain stationed there until the floor test. JMM asserts the backing of 43 MLAs, and an additional ten legislators are anticipated to join them in Hyderabad shortly.

Basant Soren, legislator from Dumka representing the JMM, is poised to be sworn in as the deputy chief minister in the incoming government led by senior leader Champai Soren, according to sources familiar with the matter. Basant Soren, who is the third son and the youngest child of the party chief and former Chief Minister Shibu Soren, is set to assume a key role in the new administration.

Image source: Hindustan Times