RANCHI: Ahead of Monday’s crucial floor test, the
governing alliance
comprising JMM-Congress-RJD in Jharkhand concluded their “resort politics” Sunday evening, flying their
MLAs
back to Ranchi well in time, amid concerns over potential last-minute challenges, particularly inclement weather.
New CM
Champai Soren
, granted 10 days by the governor to conduct the floor test after he was sworn in this Friday, opted to hold it on the first day of the
assembly
’s two-day
special session
. The session is expected to begin at 11am Monday. Champai claimed the support of 47 MLAs, out of 48 in the alliance, while staking claim to form govt.
The majority of MLAs were shifted to Congress-governed Telangana, but the exact number flown out remained unclear even to the legislators themselves due to tight security. Sources said around 35 MLAs landed in two chartered flights in Ranchi around 8.50pm after a two-day stay in a Hyderabad resort to avert alleged poaching bids by BJP.
The BJP camp claimed disinterest in forming govt or luring ruling MLAs, citing the less-than-a-year tenure of the current assembly.
The alliance remains optimistic about the floor test, anticipating the presence of former CM
Hemant Soren
after a PMLA court allowed him to attend the session. Hemant’s presence is anticipated to address BJP’s accusations ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly polls this year. Hemant resigned from the CM’s post and was subsequently arrested by ED in a land scam case on Jan 27.
Jharkhand assembly, comprising 82 members with one nominated, has an effective strength of 80 as a JMM MLA had resigned last Dec.
After disembarking, all MLAs were escorted to Ranchi circuit house, where they will spend the night. They will be bussed to the assembly together ahead of Monday’s special session. A
Congress
MLA expressed relief at returning to Ranchi, said: “Even though we were put up in a swanky resort, it felt like jail given the heightened surveillance all around.”
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