New Delhi, February 05, 2024 The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and its alliance partners have taken a strategic step by bringing back 40 MLAs to Ranchi from Hyderabad on Sunday evening ahead of a crucial floor test scheduled for Monday. The move to house them in a Hyderabad resort was a precautionary measure to safeguard them from potential overtures by rival parties attempting to lure them into switching sides.
The ruling alliance in Jharkhand, consisting of the JMM, Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Communist Party of India (ML), has a combined strength of 46 MLAs, with JMM (28), Congress (16), RJD (1), and CPI(ML) 1. To secure a majority in the 81-member assembly, the alliance requires at least 41 votes. Notably, one seat is presently vacant, making the majority mark 41 when calculated for 80 seats.
On the opposing side, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies command 29 MLAs, indicating a comfortable margin for the ruling alliance.
It is worth noting that the JMM has undergone a floor test previously, with the then Chief Minister Hemant Soren securing 48 votes in favor during a similar test in September 2022. The present Chief Minister, Champai Soren, who actively participated in the Jharkhand movement in the late ’90s, seems poised to repeat this success.
Champai Soren, the current Chief Minister, played a significant role in the Jharkhand movement alongside Shibu Soren in the late ’90s. As the Transport Minister in the previous Hemant Soren government, Champai Soren enjoys the backing of the influential Soren family.
Political analysts anticipate a smooth sailing for the JMM-led government, barring any unexpected developments or surprises in the floor test. The test is crucial for the stability of the state government, considering the circumstances surrounding the previous Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who is currently in jail facing corruption charges.
The fate of the government will be determined through the democratic process of a floor test, with all eyes on the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha as the proceedings unfold.
