Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren is faced with the distinct possibility of losing his Assembly membership with sources saying that Raj Bhavan is likely to recommend his disqualification based on the opinion of the Election Commission.
The Election Commission sent its opinion to Governor Ramesh Bais on Thursday on a plea seeking that Hemant be disqualified as an MLA for violating electoral norms by extending a mining lease to himself, something the BJP dubbed as an "office of profit" violation.
The EC's opinion was sent to the Jharkhand Raj Bhavan in a sealed cover, according to media reports.
Amid the crisis in Jharkhand, a crucial meeting of the UPA was held at CM Hemant's residence on Friday to chalk out a strategy with over 40 legislators reaching there, sources said, reports PTI.
The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), as part of the UPA alliance, exuded confidence that Hemant will remain as the chief minister till 2024.
The UPA alliance has 49 MLAs in the 81-member assembly. The JMM is its largest constituent with 30 MLAs. The Congress has 18 legislators, and the RJD one. The main opposition BJP has 26 MLAs in the House.
"I am not greedy for positions," Hemant Soren tweeted on Friday after reports that the EC had recommended his disqualification. "But we need to hold constitutional posts to be able to use the system for public welfare."
In another tweet, in Hindi, he said, "Since our opponents are unable to match us politically, they are misusing constitutional institutions. But we are not worried... It's the people who gave us the chair... Do what you can; my work for my people can never stop."
Speculation was rife that Governor Bais would take a call on Hemant's fate by Friday. But so far, Raj Bhavan is yet to make any official announcement in the matter. However, sources claimed Bias was contemplating a reply to the Election Commission. However, it wasn't clear why the Governor would need to do that.
The BJP, the petitioner in the case, has sought Hemant's disqualification for violating Section 9(A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which deals with disqualification for government contracts.
The clause states that "a person shall be disqualified if, and for so long as, there subsists a contract entered into by him in the course of his trade or business with the appropriate government for the supply of goods to, or for the execution of any works undertaken by, that government".
The issue was referred to the governor and by him to the EC, as Article 192 of the Constitution states that on rulings regarding an MLA's disqualification, the question shall be referred to the governor who in turn "shall obtain the opinion of the Election Commission and shall act according to such opinion .
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had on Thursday claimed that "the Election Commission letter had reached the governor. "I had announced that it will be done within August," he said. .
