Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Jayant Sinha stated on Thursday that he rejects the accusations that “opposition leaders are being targeted by the central agencies.” He added that a comprehensive investigation into the alleged corruption cases associated with Hemant Soren in Jharkhand would reveal “loot happening in the state.”
“I am hopeful that the new Jharkhand Chief Minister will cooperate with the agencies. Hemant Soren was not cooperative. It is not true that investigative agencies target only the opposition leaders. In reality, the police in opposition-ruled states don’t probe cases of corruption. If they probe, they will find there is loot happening in Jharkhand,” Sinha told ANI.
These remarks follow widespread allegations by several opposition parties, accusing the BJP of using central agencies to harass them.
In response to the resignation of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the move as a blow to federalism. He stated, “Imposing ED against Jharkhand Chief Minister, Hemant Soren, and forcing him to resign is a blow to Federalism. Intimidating opposition leaders by making the provisions of PMLA draconian is part of the BJP’s tool kit.”
Tejashwi Yadav, a leader from Rashtriya Janata Dal, sharply reacted to the ED’s actions, claiming that the BJP has undermined democracy and federalism. He expressed concern about the central government’s interference in investigating agencies, accusing them of being influenced by electoral concerns.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren resigned after an extended questioning by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) regarding a money laundering probe linked to an alleged land scam case. Champai Soren, the state transport minister and a loyalist of Hemant Soren, is set to assume the role of Chief Minister.
