Days After Release From Prison, Hemant Soren To Return As Jharkhand CM

Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren is expected to resign on Wednesday and pave the way for Hemant Soren's return as state's top elected official. This development comes just days after Hemant Soren was released on bail, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The decision for Champai Soren to step down and initiate the formation of a new government was reached unanimously during a meeting of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance at Champai Soren's residence. Key attendees of the meeting included Hemant Soren and Congress' Jharkhand in-charge, Ghulam Ahmed Mir.

A JMM leader confirmed, "Chief minister Champai Soren is likely to resign tonight [Wednesday] and formalities for new government formation would begin accordingly."

Champai Soren assumed the role of CM on February 2, leading the alliance of JMM, Congress, and Rashtriya Janata Dal. This transition occurred three days after the ED arrested Hemant Soren on January 31 over money laundering charges linked to an alleged land scam. Hemant Soren was granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court and released from prison on June 28.

Hemant Soren has consistently claimed that he was falsely implicated, asserting that a conspiracy forced him to spend five months in jail.

He said, "Those who raised their voice against the Centre were being suppressed."