Raj Bhavan 'instrumental' in arrest, claims Hemant Soren during Jharkhand floor test

Speaking in the Jharkhand Assembly during his successor's floor test, Former Chief Minister Hemant Soren accused the Governor of being involved in his arrest. He said the land scam conspiracy was hatched by the Centre, but the Raj Bhavan was "instrumental" in his arrest.

A special court had allowed jailed leader to participate in the trust vote, after he was arrested on January 31 in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land grabbing racket.

Calling January 31 a black chapter in India's history, Hemant Soren said he would "give a befitting reply to feudal forces at appropriate time."

Soon after Hemant Soren's arrest, his close colleague and Jharkhand statehood movement leader, Champai Soren staked claim to form the government. He was sworn in as Jharkhand Chief Minister on February 2 and was given 10 days to prove majority.

Moving the confidence motion, Champai Soren praised his predecessor, "I proudly say that I am part-2 of Hemant Soren." He also attacked the BJP for trying to destabilise a democratically elected government using central agencies.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha was confident of winning the trust vote as the MLAs arrived in Ranchi. However, the BJP claims the coalition was set to lose.