Jharkhand CM to seek trust vote on September 5

Ranchi, Sept 3: Chief Minister Hemant Soren will seek a vote of trust on Monday to prove the strength of his government amid growing political uncertainty that has risen after a disqualification case came up against Soren at the Governor’s office.

“The agenda for the special session on September 5 is clear. It is to clear any doubt in the minds of the public by showing the strength of the current government in the house,” Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato told lagater24.com.

A related notification has been circulated to all the MLAs on Friday evening. Preparation for the session, which is also being seen as an extension of the monsoon session, has begun. The Assembly office will remain functional on Sunday for the special session.

Chief Minister Soren is facing an office-of-profit case related to allotting a stone mine lease in his name while in office and the Election Commission has given its report to Governor Ramesh Bais who is yet to disclose his recommendation on the matter.

Amid growing pressure from the ruling alliance to clarify his stand on the issue, Bais had suddenly left for New Delhi on Friday and returned Saturday morning. The UPA leaders complained that the Governor had gone to New Delhi to take orders from the BJP.

“The Assembly was adjourned sine die and we have to give a closure to the monsoon session. The special session has been called to clear some pending work that will also showcase our strength,” said Jharkhand Congress President Rajesh Thakur.

The monsoon session of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly was adjourned sine die after continuous protests by the opposition members. The issue of drought was yet to be dealt with. Jharkhand faces a rainfall deficit of 26 per cent as per latest data.

However, as for the three Congress MLAs who were arrested in West Bengal in a cash seizure case, there is no plan to bring them back. They are barred from going out of Kolkata for three months and getting them back would require court permissions.

Sources inform that the UPA legislators who are stationed in Congress-ruled Raipur to prevent any poaching attempt by the BJP will be brought to Ranchi by flight on Monday morning just ahead of the Special Session which will commence at 11am.  

However, the BJP has reservations against the vote of trust.

BJP Rajmahal MLA Anant Ojha said, “If the ruling party considers the special session to be an extension of the monsoon session, they are bound to bring only those agenda that were left out. They are not allowed to add any new agenda as per rules.”