Champai Soren-led JMM coalition wins trust vote in Jharkhand

Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren (Image: ANI)

Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren comfortably won the trust vote on February 5 after 47 MLAs, including Hemant Soren whose arrest led to him being named to the top job, voted in favour of the motion on the floor of the House. The coalition government won the floor test with a 47:29 majority.

Champai Soren moved the confidence motion in the 81-member assembly. The majority mark is 41.

"(A total of) 47 votes have been received in favour of the motion. There were 29 votes against the motion. Thus, this House passes the trust vote," the Speaker said before adjourning the House till 11 am on Tuesday.

Former Chief Minister Hemant Soren, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 31 in an alleged land scam, reached the assembly after a special court allowed him to attend the proceedings.

Speaking about his arrest, Soren called the day as a black chapter in India's history.

"Today, I have been arrested on charges of 8.5 acre land scam. If they have the courage, then show the documents of the land registered in my name. If it is proved, I will quit politics..," he said.

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On February 2, a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court sent him in to ED custody for five days.

The ruling JMM-Congress MLAs who were sent to a private in Hyderabad in neighbouring Telangana on fears of poaching returned to the state capital Ranchi ahead of the vote.

Champai Soren took oath as the Chief Minister on February 2. He was given 10 days to prove his government's majority.

As he set off the debate on the trust motion, Champai Soren said the Centre is misusing the agencies.