Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren Arrested by ED, Champai Soren to Take Over

Ranchi, Jharkhand: In a dramatic turn of events, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday evening, shortly after submitting his resignation to the Governor. Transport Minister Champai Soren, a senior leader of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), will be sworn in as the new Chief Minister.

Soren's arrest comes months after allegations of involvement in a ₹600 crore land scam surfaced. He had previously evaded seven summons for questioning by the ED before finally appearing on Wednesday afternoon. Sources say he agreed to be arrested only after stepping down as Chief Minister.

The land scam allegedly involves a "huge racket" to change the ownership of government land and sell it to builders. 14 people, including a senior IAS officer, have already been arrested in the case.

Soren has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation, calling it a "BJP conspiracy" against him. However, with his arrest and resignation, the political landscape in Jharkhand has undergone a significant shift.

Key Points:

• Hemant Soren arrested by ED in connection with land scam.
• Champai Soren to take over as Chief Minister.
• Soren resigned before arrest, citing "BJP conspiracy."
• JMM retains majority in assembly, future government remains stable.

Soren's arrest is likely to have a significant impact on Jharkhand politics. The JMM, while retaining its majority in the assembly, may face leadership challenges in the lead-up to the 2024 state elections. The BJP, meanwhile, is seeking to capitalize on the situation and make gains in the upcoming polls.