Hemant Soren Resigns As Jharkhand Chief Minister Amid Looming ED Arrest; Champai Soren To Be Next CM

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren reportedly tendered his resignation to Governor after facing seven hours long grilling by the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday (31 January).

The JMM chief was in ED custody when he submitted his resignation to Jharkhand Governor C P Radhakrishnan on Wednesday evening, according to party MP Mahua Maji.

"The CM is in ED custody. The CM has gone to the Governor with the ED team to submit his resignation... Champai Soren will be the new Chief Minister... We have enough numbers..." Maji was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Champai Soren, a minister in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) government, is likely to take over as the next Chief Minister of the state.

Hemant Soren's resignation comes amid reports that the ED is likely to arrest the former Jharkhand CM in alleged money laundering case in land deal scam.

Earlier in the day, Soren, who had previously skipped multiple summons, was questioned by the central agency in Ranchi.  

Security was tightened and Section 144 imposed around his residence.

The CM's party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha held a show of strength with the MLAs assembling at the CM's residence on Kanke Road.