Election Commission recommends Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's disqualification as MLA

The Election Commission is learnt to have recommended disqualification of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren as MLA for violation of Representation of the People Act, 1951, in extending a mine ownership to himself while in office. EC, however, has not favoured stronger action such as barring him from elections, ET gathers.

EC gave its opinion on Thursday in a sealed cover to governor Ramesh Bais who had referred the matter to it under Article 192 of the Constitution. JMM maintained till press time that it hasn't received any information on the case.

In Ranchi, the JMM called a meeting of MLAs to discuss the situation. Party general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya told ET that they would work on the options available. "Our government will complete its term till 2024 and Hemant Soren is our leader. Nothing is going to change in this," he added.

Sources told ET that JMM has prepared all options, including going to court in case there is a disqualification call by the governor. The legal team in Delhi and Jharkhand have done the paperwork and will immediately move court if needed. Soren can also resign if he is disqualified as an MLA and a fresh swearing in may take place. He will have the option of getting re-elected.

Some state BJP leaders said Bais should also bar him from contesting polls. BJP leaders said if Soren was barred from contesting, then it would be a real problem for the government. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey told ET: "If EC has recommended disqualification of Hemant Soren as MLA, then we demand fresh elections. It is not the disqualification of the MLA, but of the CM and he should seek fresh mandate."

JMM raised a question on how a BJP MP can get to know what is there in the sealed envelope given to the governor by the EC. "If this is the case, we demand a criminal case to be filed against the MP as it puts the constitutional authorities in question," Bhattacharya told ET.