RANCHI: The Election Commission has recommended the Jharkhand Governor to disqualify Chief Minister Hemant Soren as MLA under the Representation of the People Act,1951. According to sources, the Election Commission recommended the disqualification of Hemant Soren after he was found guilty in an illegal granite mining case.

A meeting of the MLAs of the ruling Jharkhand Muktimorcha was convened in Ranchi yesterday to discuss the formation of a new government if Soren is forced to step down.

The Election Commission sent its opinion to the governor on Thursday on a plea seeking that Soren be disqualified as an MLA for violating electoral norms by extending a mining lease to himself. Soren is in charge of the Mines and Environment Departments.

The opposition BJP had lodged a complaint with Governor Ramesh Bais demanding that Soren be disqualified for violating the Representation of the People Act. The Governor then referred it to the Election Commission. Following this, the commission recorded the statements of Hemant Soren and his brother Basant Soren. The contents of the report handed over to the Raj Bhavan in a sealed envelope by the commission yesterday morning have not been disclosed. Under Article 192 of the Constitution, the final decision on the disqualification of MLAs rests with the Governor.

The BJP demanded that the assembly should be dissolved and elections should be held. Congress has declared full support to Soren.