Summary:
Ranchi, Nov 16 (PTI) UPA partners in Jharkhand showed solidarity with Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday, a day before his appearance before the ED here for questioning in a money laundering case linked to alleged illegal mining in the state.
At a high-level meeting at CM House to decide strategy over ED summons to the chief minister, the UPA partners said they all are united and ready to fight the "conspiracy being hatched to topple the government." The ministers and legislators, however, preferred to be tight-lipped over the strategy discussed in the meeting.
Legislators of the JMM, Congress and RJD, which has a single MLA in the 81-member state assembly, took part in the meeting.
Asked whether Soren will appear before the ED, cabinet minister Hafijul Ansari said, "It will be decided by the CM." Health minister and Congress leader Banna Gupta said, "The CM will go to ED office and reply to all queries.
We will cooperate with ED but the conspiracy which is going against an elected majority government will also be exposed." Senior JMM leader and minister Mithilesh Thakur said, "We all (partners) are united.
The government will complete its five-year term and we will fulfil the aspirations of state’s people." When asked if they will accompany to CM to ED office, Thakur said, "We have not been summoned by ED.
The agency has called CM and he will decide on it." Meanwhile, JMM workers from across Jharkhand are gathering in Ranchi.
The JMM workers are likely to accompany the CM to ED office on Thursday.
"The workers are coming in respect to their chief minister.