Champai Soren resigns as Jharkhand CM, Hemant to take over

Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren on the 3rd of July announced that he has resigned from the post, saying that Hemant Soren will be taking over the reins.

Champai became the Chief Minister in February after Hemant was jailed in a money laundering case linked to a land scam.

Speaking to reporters, Champai said that he stepped down after the JMM and alliance legislators gave consensus to make Hemant the leader of the alliance.

"A few days ago, I was made the Chief Minister and I got the responsibility of the state. After Hemant Soren was back, our alliance took this decision and we chose Hemant Soren as our leader. Now, I have resigned from the post of chief minister," Champai told reporters.

Earlier in the day, leaders and MLAs of the ruling coalition at a meeting at Champai Soren’s residence here unanimously decided to elect Hemant Soren as the JMM legislature party leader.

"I have resigned as per the decision of the JMM-led alliance. Our alliance is strong," Champai Soren said after coming out of Raj Bhavan.

"All know what had happened with Hemant Soren Ji... I was given the responsibility by the coalition partners. Now, the alliance has decided in favour of Hemant Soren Ji," he said.

Hemant Soren told the media all formalities to form the government are complete.

"Everything will be disclosed soon," the JMM executive president said when asked about the swearing-in.

He will be the chief minister of Jharkhand for the third time.

The ruling coalition delegation which met the governor included state Congress in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir, state Congress president Rajesh Thakur, RJD minister Satyanand Bhokta, CPI(ML) legislator Vinod Singh, besides Champai Soren and Hemant Soren.

After spending around five months in jail, Hemant Soren was released on June 28 after the high court granted him bail in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam.

He had resigned as the CM shortly before his arrest on January 31.

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