• By Abhirupa Kundu
  • Wed, 31 Jan 2024 11:32 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Champai Soren, currently Jharkhand's Transport Minister will be replacing Hemant Soren as the new Jharkhand Chief Minister. Hemant Soren, who is currently facing the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) wrath in connection with money laundering in the state's land grabbing scam case tendered his resignation from the top post on Wednesday.

Champai Soren, 67, a leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha party was inducted into Hemant Soren's cabinet as the state Minister of Transport, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Caste and Backward class welfare in 2019.

The development of Soren's elevation to the chief minister's chair came amid ED questioning outgoing CM Hemant Soren.

ALSO READ: Hemant Soren Resigns As Jharkhand CM, Champai Soren To Take Charge

All the MLAs of the ruling party reached Raj Bhawan on Wednesday evening. "We have chosen Champai Soren as the leader of the Legislative Party. We came to the Raj Bhawan to request the Governor for the oath ceremony," Jharkhand Minister Banna Gupta said.

Soren, a native of Jilinggora village is father to four sons and three daughters. The seven-time MLA represents the Seraikella constituency in Jharkhand and started out his political career as an Independent MLA.

The 67-year-old who is popularly known in the state as "Jharkhand Tiger" rose to prominence during the separate statehood movement in Jharkhand.

Champai Soren's rise to the chief minister's post comes as Hemant Soren was taken to ED custody.

"The CM is in ED custody. The CM has gone to the Governor with the ED team to submit his resignation. Champai Soren will be the new Chief Minister. We have enough numbers," JMM MP Mahua Maji told ANI.

Party spokesperson Vinod Pandey said a general consensus was reached on Champai Soren. Earlier, there were speculations that Hemant Soren's wife Kalpana's name could be proposed as the new CM.

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