- By Vivek Raj
- Wed, 31 Jan 2024 08:22 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Speculation regarding the potential succession of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has intensified amid an ongoing money laundering investigation. Sources within the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Party suggest that Kalpana Soren could potentially assume the top leadership role if her husband faces arrest in connection with an alleged money laundering case.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is scheduled to question Mr. Soren regarding the money laundering allegations today, raising the possibility of his arrest. In the event of such an occurrence, it has been proposed during a meeting of MLAs that Kalpana Soren be appointed as the Chief Minister, according to insider sources.
Earlier assertions made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey mirrored similar claims, although they were promptly dismissed by Chief Minister Hemant Soren himself, who previously ruled out the possibility of his wife contesting elections in the foreseeable future.
Earlier Hemant Soren was untraceable by ED for more than 24 hours and he reportedly reached his Ranchi residence from Delhi by road on Tuesday, where he immediately held a meeting with his legislators.
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Who is Kalpana Soren?
Born in 1976 in Ranchi and hailing from Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, Kalpana married Hemant Soren on February 7, 2006, and the couple shares two children, Nikhil and Ansh. Her educational background includes a graduation in engineering followed by an MBA.
However, it's worth noting that Ms. Soren is not currently an MLA, and if she were to assume the Chief Minister's position, she would need to secure a seat in the assembly through a by-election within six months. So, this proposition faces a significant hurdle as a bypoll may be precluded, given that the assembly's term ends in less than a year.
Kalpana Soren is known for her diverse engagements, which include running a school, actively participating in organic farming initiatives, and owning three commercial buildings valued at nearly Rs 5 crore. Her involvement in programs advocating for women and children empowerment has garnered attention.
She was in the headlines in 2022 following accusations from former chief minister Raghubar Das regarding the alleged misuse of Mr. Soren's position to allocate a plot in an industrial area to a company owned by herself.
Recent events have ignited widespread speculation surrounding Kalpana Soren's potential elevation to the Chief Minister's position, particularly amid the dramatic unfolding surrounding Hemant Soren's brief 'disappearance' during an ED search of his Delhi residence.
While Hemant Soren initially dismissed rumors regarding Kalpana's candidacy for the chief ministerial position, renewed speculations have drawn comparisons to Rabri Devi, who assumed the Bihar chief ministerial role in 1996 during Lalu Prasad's incarceration.
Reports suggest that during a JMM meeting, attended by around 35 MLAs, a proposal endorsing Kalpana Soren as the next Chief Minister was discussed.