Amidst the ongoing probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and intense political activities, speculations are rife that Soren's wife Kalpana Soren might become the next chief minister of Jharkhand.
Sources in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Party claimed that Kalpana might take over the top job if her husband gets arrested in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam.
Kalpana Soren was present at the meetings of the state's ministers and party MLAs in Ranchi on Tuesday. Hemant Soren reached Ranchi from Delhi by road and held two meetings. Hemant will record his statement with the ED today.
Who is Kalpana Soren
Kalpana Soren married Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren in 2006. Though she is born in Ranchi in 1946, her family belongs to Baripada in Odisha where they are still staying.
It is said that Hemant’s political career changed after she married Kalpana. He climbed the ladders of success in politics and became the CM of Jharkhand.
Kalpana's father is a businessman and her mother is a homemaker. Kalpana is involved in business and charity work.
Kalpana Soren does not have any political background. She studied engineering and MBA.
Since Kalpana Soren is not an MLA, her becoming the CM will need a present MLA to vacate his or her seat.
BJP’s Nishikant Dubey said at least 35 MLAs were there at the JMM meeting on Tuesday where the proposal to make Kalpana Soren the next chief minister was floated.
The MLAs reportedly signed a letter of support without any name on it.