The Hemant Soren-led government proved its majority in the Jharkhand Assembly Monday.
None of the MLAs of the JMM-led UPA alliance voted against the ruling government.
The Soren-led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha received 48 votes out of 81. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which is in Opposition with 26 MLAs, walked out during the voting.
Chief Minister Soren had called for a trust vote amid allegations of MLA-poaching in the state. “Opposition has destroyed democracy. BJP speaks about buying MLAs. Today, we will show our strength in the House,” he said.
“We need to protect democracy,” Soren said. “We have heard of people buying ration, clothes and vegetables. But due to the BJP, we now hear of MLAs being bought.”
Soren also alleged that the BJP was attempting to create a “civil war” like situation in the country by fueling riots.
In the 81-member state Assembly, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha led by Soren is the largest party with 30 MLAs. The Congress has 18 legislators, while the Rashtriya Janata Dal has one.
Soren is faced with uncertainty over his continuance as chief minister.
On August 25, holding Soren guilty of misusing his position by allotting a stone mining lease to himself last year, the EC, in its opinion shared with Governor Ramesh Bais, recommended his disqualification as MLA under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. However, the Governor is yet to officially communicate his order on the issue.
