The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) arrest of Hemant Soren, who resigned as Jharkhand chief minister on Wednesday has deepened the resolve of INDIA partners to fight what they described as Narendra Modi’s vindictive politics to crush opponents.

There is unanimity among the Opposition parties that the JMM chief was targeted only because he refused to compromise and surrender to the BJP’s pressures to quit the INDIA combine to help them in the parliamentary election. Many leaders gave examples of Opposition leaders who are now comfortably nestled in the BJP’s lap to save themselves from the clutches of central agencies.

The ED — called the BJP’s Election Department by the Opposition parties — however, helped them overcome the shock delivered by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s opportunistic somersault much sooner than later. Almost every party expressed outrage over the ED action and resolved to fight back. The Congress, which is the biggest party in the INDIA bloc, came forward to extend legal
and political support to Soren while other allies stood firm behind it.

Accusing the “corrupt” BJP of destroying democracy, Rahul Gandhi said central agencies such as the ED and the CBI had ceased to be the government’s agencies and become the BJP’s “Erase Opposition Cell”. While Sonia Gandhi talked to senior INDIA leaders on the future course of action, top lawyer and Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi moved the Supreme Court to get Soren immediate bail. The matter will come up for hearing on Friday.

Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin posted on X: “Outrageous and shameful! The arrest of Hon’ble Jharkhand Chief Minister Thiru @HemantSorenJMM is a blatant display of political vendetta by Union BJP Govt. Using investigative agencies to harass a tribal leader is a new low. This act reeks of desperation and abuse of power. BJP’s dirty tactics won’t silence opposition voices. Despite BJP’s vindictive politics, Thiru @HemantSorenJMM stands strong, refusing to bow down. His resilience in the face of adversity is commendable. His determination to fight back against BJP’s bullying tactics is an inspiration.”

Lalu Prasad, who was grilled the whole day by the ED after the change of government in Bihar, said: “The autocratic government is harassing the popular Adivasi chief minister Hemant Soren. The reprehensible machinations of the BJP can trouble
leaders for some time but can’t defeat the resolve and aspirations of the backwards, Dalits, minorities, tribals and other weaker sections. The world understands the BJP’s intimidation tactics. We are firmly with Hemant.”

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) also declared its support to Soren while the AAP recalled how many leaders escaped the clutches of investigative agencies by joining the BJP. “Go to jail or join the BJP. That’s BJP’s politics,” said AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said: “The BJP’s anti-tribal face is exposed. Hemant Soren was standing like a wall against the corrupt BJP and crony capitalists who wanted to exploit Jharkhand’s natural resources. He is being punished for his resistance. Every single Jharkhandi will cast his vote against this conspiracy. The BJP knows that it has no chance this time in the face of unemployment, high prices and big corruption.”