Congress says not inviting Champai Soren to form govt is ‘contempt of Constitution’

The Congress raised concerns on Thursday regarding the prolonged delay in the establishment of a new government in Jharkhand, asserting that it amounts to a blatant disregard for the Constitution and a denial of the public mandate. Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress president, accused the governor of Jharkhand of undermining Indian democracy by delaying the process.

Kharge shared a video featuring Congress and JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha) MLAs, emphasizing that despite the support of 48 MLAs in the 81-member House, the invitation to Champai Soren to form the government was not extended. This, according to Kharge, is a clear violation of the Constitution and a denial of the people's mandate.

"In the House of 81 MLAs, only 41 form a majority. Despite having the support of 48 MLAs, not inviting Champai Soren ji to form the government is clearly contempt of the Constitution and denial of public mandate," Kharge expressed in a post in Hindi. He went on to state, "Nails are being hammered in the coffin of Indian democracy by His Excellencies," pointing to the role of governors in states.

The remarks from Kharge followed Champai Soren's meeting with Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan, where he urged the prompt commencement of the state government formation process. Champai Soren had been elected as the leader of the JMM legislative party after the resignation of Hemant Soren as chief minister and his subsequent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh echoed Kharge's sentiments, highlighting the political developments in Jharkhand as yet another instance of political injustice. Ramesh accused the Prime Minister and Home Minister of expertise in such matters, alleging that the delay was intentional.

Additionally, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi questioned whether the governor was awaiting instructions from the prime minister's and Union home minister's office. Singhvi emphasized the clarity of numbers in the assembly and raised suspicions about the BJP attempting to induce defections.

As tensions escalated, both Congress and JMM began relocating their MLAs, including Champai Soren, to an undisclosed location, accusing a deliberate delay in government formation in Jharkhand. The situation prompted concerns about potential defections and challenges to the democratic process in the state.

कांग्रेस का कहना है कि चंपई सोरेन को सरकार बनाने के लिए आमंत्रित नहीं करना 'संविधान की अवमानना' है