Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) executive president Hemant Soren met Governor Santosh Gangwar on Sunday, submitted his resignation as Chief Minister, and staked a claim to form the government in the state. The development follows the INDIA bloc’s resounding victory in the state assembly elections, where the coalition secured 56 out of 81 seats.
Speaking after his meeting with the Governor, Soren said, “Today we have started the procedure to form the (INDIA) alliance government and in that series, we have staked a claim to form the government in front of the Governor. I also tendered my resignation to him.” He announced that the oath-taking ceremony for the new government will take place on 28 November.
VIDEO | Here’s what JMM leader Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) said after meeting Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar at Raj Bhavan in Ranchi.
“The Mahagathbandhan met the Governor and I have resigned as the CM. We have handed over letter of support of alliance partners to the… pic.twitter.com/MHiG9UlnqS
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 24, 2024
Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders were also present during the meeting.
Earlier in the day, Soren chaired a meeting in Ranchi to elect the leader of the INDIA bloc in Jharkhand. Congress general secretary and Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir said, “We will elect the leader of the coalition and, without wasting time, take decisions on government formation.”
Jharkhand Election Results 2024
Soren retained the Barhait assembly seat, defeating Bharatiya Janata Party’s Gamliyel Hembrom by a margin of 39,791 votes. Soren secured 95,612 votes, while Hembrom received 55,821 votes.
INDIA bloc candidates had unanimously expressed their support for Soren as the leader of the coalition. Speculation persists regarding Congress’s demand for the Deputy Chief Minister’s position. However, Mir avoided commenting on this, stating, “The topmost agenda was to elect the leader of the coalition at present, and later an authorised representative will discuss matters pertaining to ministers and other issues.”
