Hemant Soren Speaks to Kapil Sibal Ahead of ED Arrest: Allegations, Challenges, and Political Maneuvers Unveiled
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren faced arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged land-fraud (Hemant Soren Speaks to Kapil Sibal Ahead of ED Arrest)
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren faced arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged land-fraud case after an extensive seven-hour grilling. The unfolding events were preluded by an exclusive interview with Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on the “Dil Se” YouTube program.
In the interview, conducted in New Delhi and released on Thursday, Hemant Soren showcased resilience in the face of impending legal actions. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre of employing investigative agencies for political objectives, emphasizing that efforts to destabilize the JMM government began soon after its formation.
“As soon as I formed the government, it started facing challenges in which our primary opposition people were involved, but we tackled that,” Hemant Soren asserted during the conversation with Sibal.
ED Arrest and Political Allegations: The ED’s arrest came after Soren’s prolonged interrogation on money-laundering charges linked to an alleged land fraud case. Hemant Soren, in the interview, accused the ED of adopting a persistent approach, issuing summonses without a concrete FIR or name, aiming to establish a legal violation.
“We (JMM) do politics on our own strength, we have stood on our own, we will protect what we have built,” declared Soren, claiming that the ED’s actions were a form of mental harassment targeted at leaders opposing the BJP.
On the subject of political maneuvering and tactics, the ex-CM stated, “They know that if I am in the field, they will have problems. First, threaten, then give inducements, and then they get to such tactics… When they could not win politically, they are using other means.”
Officials under Threat: Addressing questions about the targeting of his officials, Hemant Soren affirmed that officials were indeed facing threats. He emphasized that in his government, no directives were given to engage in wrongdoing, and penalties were imposed for failing to act ethically.
“They know that officials are the executing body, so they are threatening them. In my government, no direction is given for doing wrong and punishment is meted out for not doing the right thing,” he explained during the interview.
Resignation and Succession: Preceding his arrest, Hemant Soren submitted his resignation as the chief minister to Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan at the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi. The arrest led to Champai Soren, a JMM leader closely associated with Hemant Soren, being invited to form the government in Jharkhand. Champai Soren is set to take oath as the new chief minister, tasked with demonstrating his majority in a floor test within the next 10 days.
The political landscape in Jharkhand remains charged as events continue to unfold, leaving the future of the opposition bloc and the governance scenario uncertain
