Ahead of the crucial floor test in Jharkhand, the governing alliance of JMM-Congress-RJD flew their MLAs back to Ranchi from a resort in Hyderabad amid concerns over potential last-minute challenges. New CM Champai Soren is set to conduct the floor test on the first day of the assembly’s special session, claiming the support of 47 MLAs out of 48 in the alliance. Former CM Hemant Soren's presence is anticipated to address BJP’s accusations ahead of the upcoming polls. All MLAs were escorted to Ranchi circuit house for the night and will be bussed to the assembly together for Monday’s special session.
Jharkhand's governor has invited Champai Soren to form a new government following Hemant Soren's resignation and arrest, with the coalition planning to relocate its MLAs to Hyderabad to prevent poaching attempts. Champai claims the support of 47 lawmakers out of 48, with the majority threshold at 41, and is ready for a floor test within 10 days. The delay in government formation prompted the relocation plan, echoing a similar action taken two years ago.
The political crisis in Jharkhand escalates as 43 lawmakers from the ruling alliance are moved to Telangana amid efforts to form a new government, with Champai Soren, the alliance's Chief Minister pick, meeting the Governor to stake his claim. The JMM-Congress-RJD alliance has 47 MLAs, and if the 43 supporting Champai Soren remain committed, he could be invited to form the new government. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Hemant Soren has been arrested and sent to judicial custody, challenging his arrest in the Supreme Court.
The Congress party in Telangana is preparing for a possible hung assembly in the upcoming election results, with the party high command sending messages to prospective MLAs to be prepared for a special camp, possibly in Karnataka, to prevent poaching by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) led by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. If the BRS crosses 50 seats and the Congress falls short, there is a risk of MLAs being lured to the BRS side, as happened in 2014. The Congress aims to reverse any poaching attempts and secure a majority.
