Champai Soren govt wins vote of trust in Jharkhand assembly

The Champai Soren-led alliance government of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Congress, RJD and CPI (ML) won the trust vote in the Jharkhand assembly on Monday.

There were 47 votes in favour of the government and 29 against it in the 81-member assembly. Independent MLA Saryu Rai was present during the trust vote, but abstained from voting. One MLA each from BJP and JMM and an independent MLA were not present in the House.

Of the 47 votes, 27 were from JMM, 17 from Congress, one each from RJD and CPI (ML) and one was from a nominated member. Among the 29 votes from Opposition, 25 were from BJP, three from AJSU and one from NCP (Ajit Pawar) faction.


Speaking on the trust vote, Champai Soren said injustice has been done to Hemant Soren and the fact that central agencies were being used to settle political scores should be a matter of concern.

"We will work on the agenda set by the Hemant Soren government and ensure development in all sectors," Champai Soren told media persons after winning the trust vote.

Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren was also present in the House to vote on the motion. During his speech, Hemant Soren attacked the BJP-led government and even raised questions on the role of the governor. "For the first time in my knowledge a chief minister has been arrested. It appears that the Raj Bhavan is also involved in this," he said in the House. "If they bring one paper proving my ownership of 8.5 acres of land for which I have been arrested, I will quit politics and leave Jharkhand."

Champai Soren took oath as the chief minister of Jharkhand on February 2, after his predecessor Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last week in a money laundering case.

"My advice to the new CM of Jharkhand is that he should free the governance system of Jharkhand from corruption. If he tries to become a xerox copy of the Hemant Soren government, like him (Hemant Soren) he may also get in trouble," BJP Jharkhand president Babulal Marandi told media persons.