Suspense over governor's next move keeps Jharkhand on edge

RANCHI: With chief minister Hemant Soren tendering his resignation on Wednesday evening, the fate of Jharkhand's governing coalition now rests in the hands of governor C P Radhakrishnan. The Raj Bhavan house confirmed the acceptance of Soren's resignation, but did not reveal its next move, even as the ruling combine is confident of its majority.

The JMM-Congress-RJD combine also submitted a letter to the governor, proposing the name of Seraikela MLA and rural development minister Champai Soren as the new leader of the coalition."The ball is now in the Raj Bhavan's court," state Congress president Rajesh Thakur told TOI outside the governor house.
The ruling combine, however, is confident of continuing in office. As the news of Soren's arrest broke, the three coalition partners transported their MLAs to the Raj Bhavan in three buses to showcase their majority in the 81-member assembly. The governor, however, turned them away, citing lack of prior appointment.

Minutes later, at about 8.15pm, Soren drove in his carcade, reportedly accompanied by the ED sleuths, to submit his resignation. He was flanked by Champai and Congress MLA Alamgir Alam, among others.
JMM MP Mahua Majhi said they were not worried about government's fate, as they had the required numbers. "The Raj Bhavan must take a quick decision on the change of guard," she added.
Jamshedpur East's Independent MLA Saryu Roy, however, said in a post on X: "After Hemant Soren's resignation and non-appointment of any new CM or caretaker CM, President's Rule is imminent in the state, even if for a brief period till final announcement is made."