West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the arrest of former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, denouncing it as a BJP-backed conspiracy. Calling Soren a "powerful tribal leader" and her "close friend," she vowed unwavering support. Banerjee accused BJP-backed agencies of a vindictive act to undermine a popularly elected government. Soren, arrested on Jan 31 in a money laundering case, was sent to one-day judicial custody. Banerjee's stance was echoed by Trinamool Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien, who walked out of both houses of Parliament protesting against the alleged misuse of agencies to target elected representatives.

Champai Soren has been sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Jharkhand, succeeding Hemant Soren, who resigned and was arrested by the ED in a money laundering case. The JMM legislature party leader took oath at the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi, following a political crisis in the state. Soren, a 67-year-old tribal leader, has been given 10 days to prove his government's majority. He hails from the Kolhan region and has a long political career, previously serving as a cabinet minister. His appointment comes amidst uncertainty, with the state Congress supporting the JMM-led alliance.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh accuses PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of practicing "vendetta politics" in response to Hemant Soren's arrest. Ramesh claims the BJP's agenda aims to politically harass opposition leaders, referencing ED's actions against Lalu Yadav, MK Stalin's associates, and AAP leaders. Hemant Soren approaches the Supreme Court, denouncing ED's alleged abuse of power and illegal custody. The top court agrees to hear his plea on Friday. Soren, arrested in a money laundering case, asserts innocence and vows to fight against oppression in a video message.

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate, is held in Hotwar Jail after a one-day judicial custody decision. The court reserves judgment on the ED's 10-day remand request. Soren challenges the action in the Supreme Court, nominating Champai Soren as his successor. JMM claims 43 MLAs support Champai Soren, considering a move to Hyderabad. Hemant Soren, filing an FIR against ED, alleges harassment. Amidst political reactions, tribal outfits call for a Jharkhand bandh. Supreme Court to hear Hemant Soren's plea on Friday, questioning the "unseemly haste" of his arrest.

Jharkhand's Transport Minister, Champai Soren, has been invited by Governor CP Radhakrishnan to lead the state's government after the arrest of former Chief Minister Hemant Soren on money laundering charges. With the backing of 43 lawmakers from the ruling JMM-Congress-RJD alliance, Champai Soren met the Governor in Ranchi, requesting a prompt swearing-in ceremony. The Governor, however, has not yet specified a date for the inauguration. This development comes as the state undergoes a political transition amidst legal challenges faced by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader, Hemant Soren.

The Opposition came down heavily on the government after the Union Budget 2024 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. "The budget speech was more political and had no relief for the common man," said Congress's Sachin Pilot, terming it a "political statement to praise the government". Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav called the budget "useless", saying 'It is not for the people.' Congress's Manish Tewari criticised the "extremely worrying" fiscal deficit. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray took a jibe at the BJP-led Centre and said the government has finally realised that the country has these four sets (poor, women, youth, and farmers) of people.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticized the Enforcement Directorate's arrest of former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, dubbing agencies like ED, CBI, and IT as the 'Vipaksh Mitao Cell' (Remove Opposition Cell) of the BJP. Gandhi, leading the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,' alleged the BJP, mired in corruption, aims to undermine democracy. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also condemned the ED's actions, terming it a BJP strategy to intimidate opposition leaders. Soren, arrested after eight hours of questioning in a land scam case, resigned before the arrest. The ED claims evidence of Soren benefiting from an alleged land scam.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was arrested in a money laundering case after resigning, refusing to sign the arrest memo until he stepped down, according to Enforcement Directorate officials. Soren, questioned for six hours in connection with a ₹600-crore land scam, filed a case against ED officers earlier. Transport Minister Champai Soren, not his wife Kalpana as speculated, is set to become the new CM. The arrest followed a search at Soren's Delhi residence, revealing cash and a BMW. Soren claimed harassment and misinformation in the ED's actions, sparking a seismic shift in Jharkhand politics.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann will lead an AAP protest on February 2 against BJP's alleged malpractices in the recent Chandigarh mayoral election. The BJP secured victory amid controversy, with opposition votes invalidated. Kejriwal accuses BJP of rigging and warns of concerning precedents. AAP-Congress alliance, expecting a win, faced defeat. The protest coincides with Kejriwal's Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons in a money laundering probe linked to the Delhi excise case. BJP claims Kejriwal mocks the constitution by evading ED, adding tension to the unfolding political drama.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the BJP, accusing them of misusing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to target Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Soren resigned following ED questioning in a land scam case, prompting Kharge to declare it as an assault on federalism. Kharge highlighted BJP's alleged misuse of PMLA provisions to intimidate opposition leaders, labeling it a conspiracy to destabilize non-BJP governments. As Soren steps down, loyalist Champai Soren is set to become the new chief minister. The political drama unfolds as opposition voices rally against what they perceive as a threat to democracy.