Hemant stakes claim to form govt as Champai Soren steps down as CM

Ranchi: Champai Soren, the chief minister of Jharkhand, resigned on Wednesday. Shortly after, Hemant Soren, who is now free on bail in a case of alleged money laundering, staked his claim to form the government. He was unanimously voted as the leader of the state's legislature party by the JMM-led alliance. 

After Hemant Soren's arrest on February 2, Champai Soren became Jharkhand's 12th chief minister. He met with Governor CP Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan and submitted his resignation in front of the JMM executive president, ending a day-long drama filled with speculations, PTI reported.

"I have resigned as per the decision of the JMM-led alliance. Our alliance is strong," Champai Soren said after coming out of Raj Bhavan.

"All know what had happened with Hemant Soren Ji... I was given the responsibility by the coalition partners. Now, the alliance has decided in favour of Hemant Soren Ji," he said.

Hemant Soren told the media all formalities to form the government are complete.

"Everything will be disclosed soon," the JMM executive president said when asked about the swearing-in.

He will be the chief minister of Jharkhand for the third time.

The ruling coalition delegation which met the governor included state Congress in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir, state Congress president Rajesh Thakur, RJD minister Satyanand Bhokta, CPI(ML) legislator Vinod Singh, besides Champai Soren and Hemant Soren.

After spending around five months in jail, Hemant Soren was released on June 28 after the high court granted him bail in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam.

He had resigned as the CM shortly before his arrest on January 31.