Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren is scheduled to visit Khunti district on December 15, where he will inaugurate several development projects and address a public meeting. During the visit, sources indicate that the Chief Minister will lay the foundation stone for a new medical college, a stadium, a bridge, and a water supply scheme in the district. Additionally, he plans to distribute benefits to beneficiaries of various welfare schemes implemented by the state government.
This visit is perceived as a strategic political move aimed at garnering support from voters in Khunti, a district known to be a stronghold of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Khunti currently has three assembly constituencies, namely Khunti, Torpa, and Murhu, all under BJP’s representation. The district also holds a significant tribal population, a key demographic for the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
This political maneuver comes amidst a challenging time for the state government, facing a potential political crisis due to allegations of electoral law violations against Chief Minister Soren. The BJP has accused him of misusing his office by allocating a stone quarrying lease to himself during his tenure as the Minister-in-charge of mines in 2021. The matter has been referred to the Election Commission of India (ECI) by the Governor, and its opinion is awaited.
Despite these challenges, Chief Minister Soren remains confident in the stability of his government and dismisses the possibility of disqualification. He has accused the BJP of attempting to destabilize his government through horse-trading and spreading rumors. Soren affirms his readiness to face any challenges, asserting his commitment to the state’s development.
During the Khunti visit, the Chief Minister is expected to engage with local leaders and workers of his party and allies within the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). He will also assess the law and order situation and the COVID-19 scenario in the district before returning to Ranchi on the same day, concluding his schedule.
