Kalpana Soren to be next CM of Jharkhand if Hemant Soren is arrested in money laundering case

RANCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will interrogate Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in an alleged money laundering case. Sources in Jhakhand Mukti Morcha Party said Soren's wife Kalpana Soren will be made the chief minister if Soren is arrested by the ED. Party sources said Soren is likely to be arrested after interrogation.

It is heard that Soren announced the appointment of his wife as chief minister in the meeting held with the party MLAs yesterday. Party sources said the MLAs have accepted this. Congress, a constituent party of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, has also announced to support the chief minister.

However, there are legal hurdles for Kalpana Soren to become the chief minister. The constitutional provisions make it clear that by-elections cannot be held if the term of the assembly ends within one year. If this is taken into account, Kalpana will have an obstacle to become an MLA. The assembly elections in Jharkhand will be held in November this year. Sources in the party said that legal advice will be sought on the matter if necessary and if not, someone else will take over the post of the chief minister.

The ED alleged a land scam of Rs 600 crore against Hemant Soren. The ED alleged that a huge racket is behind the transfer of ownership rights of government land and sold the land to builders. The ED has so far arrested 14 people in the case. Among them is IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan, former deputy commissioner of Ranchi and director of the state social welfare department. Meantime, Hemant Soren alleged that the case is part of a conspiracy against him.