Champai Soren quits as Jharkhand CM, paves way for Hemant Soren to take oath

Champai Soren, who is seen as the number three in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, was sworn in on February 2, two days after the then chief minister Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a land scam.

The Jharkhand High Court granted bail to Hemant Soren on June 28 after the court noted that there was reason to believe he was "not guilty of the offence".

After handing over his resignation to Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Wednesday evening, Champai Soren, who was earlier reported to be upset over being asked to leave the post, said in Hindi, "When the leadership had changed, I was given responsibility. You know the sequence of events. After Hemant Soren came back, we (the coalition) picked him as our leader and I resigned. I am following the decision taken by the coalition."

Asked when he would take the oath, Hemant Soren, who was standing next to Champai Soren, said more details would be given later.

Jharkhand is ruled by a coalition of the JMM, Congress, RJD and the CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation.

On Wednesday, the JMM elected Hemant Soren as the legislature party leader, paving the way for him to take over as chief minister.

The move rubbished the media buzz that Champai Soren would retain the post and Hemant Soren would return as chief minister only after the Jharkhand Assembly elections, due later this year if the coalition won.