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Jharkhand: Babulal Marandi’s challenge to CM Soren, said – face ED, do not try to escape by playing tribal card

November 4, 2022
Bharat Times

Babulal Marandi, Leader, BJP

Babulal Marandi, Leader, BJP
– Photo : ANI (File photo)

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Senior BJP leader Babulal Marandi on Friday asked Chief Minister Hemant Soren to face investigation instead of playing the tribal card. In a case of illegal mining, Soren did not appear before the ED despite summons. Marandi, the former Jharkhand chief minister, also rubbished the allegation that the BJP was behind the ED summons to Soren.

Jharkhand Chief Minister did not reach ED office
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had summoned Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Soren to the agency’s central office till 11 am on November 3 to record his statement under PMLA in a money laundering case related to illegal mining. However, Soren did not go to the agency’s central office and went to Chhattisgarh in the evening to attend a program of tribals.

Modi can face SIT, why not Soren ED: Marandi
Marandi said, if Prime Minister Narendra Modi can face the SIT’s inquiry while he is the Chief Minister of Gujarat, then why can’t Hemant Soren face the ED’s interrogation? Instead of playing the tribal card and threatening to perform, Soren should follow the law of the land and face questioning from the ED, he said.

BJP not digesting mandate: Soren
On Thursday, Soren took a jibe at the BJP, saying the saffron party was unable to digest the mandate given to a party dominated by tribals and local people. They (BJP) have a feudal mindset and cannot see the Adivasis, Dalits and the oppressed growing up.

‘The mandate was to run the government, not to loot the natural resources’
Hitting back, BJP Legislature Party leader Marandi said, the people of Jharkhand have given him the mandate to run the government and not to loot the state’s natural resources. Marandi also said that he has been raising the issue of illegal mining for the last two years. He has also written letters to the Jharkhand and Bihar governments alleging that stone chips and other such materials are being smuggled.

‘A big movement will be launched to overthrow the JMM government’
He asserted that the BJP will not tolerate such loot any more and will launch a massive agitation to uproot the corrupt JMM government from the state. Marandi further said, in a democracy, it is the duty of the opposition to alert the government about its wrongdoings, but despite our raising the issues, no attention was paid. The complainants are being harassed.

What Hemant Soren said on ED summons
At the same time, on Thursday, Chief Minister Hemant Soren called the ED summons a well-planned conspiracy. Talking to the media persons, Soren said, do we think you are thieves or thieves or murderers. Sent summons yesterday and come for questioning.

Soren, who reached the closing ceremony of the third National Tribal Dance Festival held in Raipur, said that if he has committed any serious crime, then why is the ED sending summons, he should come and arrest him straight away. He said that he was already scheduled to come to this program. President Draupadi Murmu is also coming on Jharkhand Foundation Day.

Regarding the ED summons, Soren said, this is not the ED summon, it is a tactic used by the BJP. When people are celebrating Foundation Day, there is a festive atmosphere, in such a situation, the opposition is not looking forward to this happiness.

Expansion

Senior BJP leader Babulal Marandi on Friday asked Chief Minister Hemant Soren to face investigation instead of playing the tribal card. In a case of illegal mining, Soren did not appear before the ED despite summons. Marandi, the former Jharkhand chief minister, also rubbished the allegation that the BJP was behind the ED summons to Soren.

Jharkhand Chief Minister did not reach ED office

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had summoned Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Soren to the agency’s central office till 11 am on November 3 to record his statement under PMLA in a money laundering case related to illegal mining. However, Soren did not go to the agency’s central office and went to Chhattisgarh in the evening to attend a program of tribals.

Modi can face SIT, why not Soren ED: Marandi

Marandi said, if Prime Minister Narendra Modi can face the SIT’s inquiry while he is the Chief Minister of Gujarat, then why can’t Hemant Soren face the ED’s interrogation? Instead of playing the tribal card and threatening to perform, Soren should follow the law of the land and face questioning from the ED, he said.

BJP not digesting mandate: Soren

On Thursday, Soren took a jibe at the BJP, saying the saffron party was unable to digest the mandate given to a party dominated by tribals and local people. They (BJP) have a feudal mindset and cannot see the Adivasis, Dalits and the oppressed growing up.

‘The mandate was to run the government, not to loot the natural resources’

Hitting back, BJP Legislature Party leader Marandi said, the people of Jharkhand have given him the mandate to run the government and not to loot the state’s natural resources. Marandi also said that he has been raising the issue of illegal mining for the last two years. He has also written letters to the Jharkhand and Bihar governments alleging that stone chips and other such materials are being smuggled.

‘A big movement will be launched to overthrow the JMM government’

He asserted that the BJP will not tolerate such loot any more and will launch a massive agitation to uproot the corrupt JMM government from the state. Marandi further said, in a democracy, it is the duty of the opposition to alert the government about its wrongdoings, but despite our raising the issues, no attention was paid. The complainants are being harassed.

What Hemant Soren said on ED summons

At the same time, on Thursday, Chief Minister Hemant Soren called the ED summons a well-planned conspiracy. Talking to the media persons, Soren said, do we think you are thieves or thieves or murderers. Sent summons yesterday and come for questioning.

Soren, who reached the closing ceremony of the third National Tribal Dance Festival held in Raipur, said that if he has committed any serious crime, then why is the ED sending summons, he should come and arrest him straight away. He said that he was already scheduled to come to this program. President Draupadi Murmu is also coming on Jharkhand Foundation Day.

Regarding the ED summons, Soren said, this is not the ED summon, it is a tactic used by the BJP. When people are celebrating Foundation Day, there is a festive atmosphere, in such a situation, the opposition is not looking forward to this happiness.