Ranchi: Hemant Soren will have to step down as Chief Minister of Jharkhand after the Election Commission (EC) cancelled his membership of the state legislature on Friday. However, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief will be able to contest elections.
The EC decision allowing him to contest elections was a major relief for Hemant Soren as there was a possibility that he may be barred from electoral politics for the next six years.
Earlier, Hemant Soren had presented a letter of support from 50 MLAs even as the Election Commission conducted hearing regarding the cancellation of his membership from the state legislature on Thursday.
Earlier on Thursday, the Election Commission (EC) had sent a recommendation to the Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais calling for the cancellation of Soren’s membership.
The EC move follows serious allegations against Hemant Soren in the office of profit case.
The letter was sent on Wednesday in a sealed document. After which, the Governor referred the matter for poll panel.
A petition was filed by a Bharatiya Janata Party leader who sought disqualification of CM Soren alleging the extension of mine lease.
The hearing in the matter was concluded on Monday in the ECI. On August 12, the legal team of Soren concluded its arguments before the Election Commission following which the BJP — the petitioner in the case — gave a rejoinder. On August 18, the two sides submitted their written submissions to the poll panel.
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