Trouble mounts for Jharkhand CM as EC seeks details of quarry lease, BJP calls for ouster
India Today
The BJP has sought Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's disqualification over the lease to a stone quarry allegedly issued in his favour by the mining department. The EC is also looking into the matter.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has landed in hot water over the lease to a stone quarry in Ranchi, which was allegedly issued in his favour by the mining department.
The Raj Bhavan has taken cognisance of the matter after a BJP delegation led by former CM Raghubar Das submitted a memorandum on February 10. Another delegation led by Babulal Marandi also handed over a memorandum along similar lines to the governor the next day.
The memorandums stated that Soren had brazenly violated Section 9A of Representation of Peoples Act 1951 by misusing the power of his office. The BJP alleged it was a case of office of profit as Soren secured the mining lease despite being the chief minister.
The saffron party has demanded that Soren, who represents Berhat assembly constituency, be disqualified as CM for violating the Representation of Peoples Act 1951 and various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
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A highly placed source said that around three weeks ago, Governor Ramesh Bais referred the matter to the Election Commission of India and sought its opinion. He had also sought a report and summoned the chief secretary to Raj Bhavan.
The EC has also reportedly contacted the chief secretary, asking the government to authenticate the documents related to mining lease allotment.
