Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Resurfaces Amid ED Investigation

Speculation mounts over potential appointment of Soren's wife as Chief Minister if he is arrested.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case, was reportedly 'missing' for over 24 hours, leading to political uproar.
BJP leaders claimed Soren was 'absconding', with the state BJP president releasing a 'missing' poster offering a cash reward for information on Soren's whereabouts.
Soren resurfaced in Ranchi, meeting with MLAs from the ruling coalition, with his wife, Kalpana Soren, notably present at the meeting.
Speculation is rife that Kalpana Soren may be named Chief Minister if Hemant Soren is arrested, a move reminiscent of Lalu Prasad Yadav's decision to name his wife Rabri Devi as Chief Minister amid corruption allegations in 1997.
The JMM and Congress, part of the ruling coalition, have accused the BJP of using the ED for political purposes, alleging a conspiracy to impose President's rule in the state.