Tempers flared in Jharkhand’s legislative corridors this week as Chief Minister Hemant Soren launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Union government, accusing it of political subterfuge over the introduction of the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill. The bill, tabled recently in the Lok Sabha, has become the latest flashpoint in the ongoing tug-of-war between state and central authorities, with Soren alleging that its true intent is to undermine the powers of elected chief ministers and further centralize control.
Addressing lawmakers on August 28, 2025, at the close of the monsoon session of the Jharkhand assembly, Soren did not mince words. "The hidden agenda of the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which ceases powers of elected CMs once it becomes the law, is another ploy with a deeper agenda. Only time will expose this," he declared, as reported by The Times of India. His remarks came amid broader criticisms of the central government’s recent moves, which he characterized as attempts to weaken state autonomy and disrupt democratic processes.
At the heart of the controversy is the bill’s provision that seeks to remove ministers from their posts if they are sentenced to 30 days or more in jail. Soren questioned the rationale behind this stipulation, stating on August 29, "I fail to understand the logic for introducing this bill," according to PTI coverage. He went further, labeling the measure as part of the BJP’s "hidden agenda," a phrase he repeated in his assembly speech and subsequent press interactions.
The timing of these accusations is notable. The Jharkhand assembly’s third monsoon session, which began on August 1, was disrupted by the death of Soren’s father and political mentor, Shibu Soren. After reconvening on August 22, the session wrapped up on August 28, having processed an impressive 324 questions, 70 zero-hour notices, 21 requests, 34 attention motions (with 20 approved and four addressed), 34 private member resolutions, and the passage of five bills. Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahto, however, lamented that many members seemed to prioritize party directives over their constituents’ needs, a concern that echoed Soren’s broader critique of political gamesmanship.
Soren’s accusations did not stop at the constitutional amendment. He accused the central government of colluding with the Election Commission to "rig" elections, specifically referencing the recent mass deletion of voters in Bihar. "Be it one or lakhs of electorates, each voter is important in a democracy. One vote can make or break a government. But in Bihar, they have erased those democratic powers of the voters by mass deletion through the EC. What’s more concerning is that the election commissioner has been given impunity from any action against him," Soren said, as reported by The Times of India. These comments reflect growing anxieties among regional leaders that the mechanisms of Indian democracy are being manipulated to favor the ruling party at the center.
The BJP, for its part, has repeatedly accused the Jharkhand government of attempting to usurp tribal lands, most recently in the context of the proposed Rims-2 project in Nagri, Ranchi district. Last week, large numbers of tribal residents protested against the project, echoing earlier demonstrations against urban infrastructure developments like Ranchi’s flyovers. Soren responded to these criticisms with characteristic defiance, noting, "They (BJP) always try to mislead people. Earlier, they orchestrated protests against the flyovers in Ranchi, but today those flyovers are emerging as a boon for the people. Now, they are doing so with the Rims-2 project in Nagri. Their job is always to rake up non-existent issues for their political agenda to stop the government from working for public welfare. They also approach courts with their ill agenda. That has been its nature."
The legislative session was also marked by a rare moment of unity, as the assembly unanimously passed a resolution pressing the central government to award the Bharat Ratna to the late Shibu Soren. Hemant Soren, visibly moved, spoke of his father’s legacy: "He (Shibu Soren) was more than an MLA, MP or former CM. Dishom Guru Shibu was an inspiration for scores of tribals, the poor and the marginalized across the country and the globe. The assembly has passed a resolution today, but I don’t know if it will be realized at all or not, because of the BJP government at the Centre. They always have their own political agenda. Their job has been to create a smokescreen and make everything rosy. I don’t know if the country is becoming Vishwaguru or not, but BJP, their leaders and businessmen friends aspire to become one."
Outside Jharkhand, the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill has sparked debate among legal scholars, economists, and political observers. In its August 29, 2025 edition, Moneycontrol Pro Panorama analyzed the bill as part of a broader discussion on anti-corruption reform and the importance of consensus in major constitutional changes. The editorial contextualized the bill against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, referencing India’s Q1 FY26 unemployment numbers and the critical role of migrant workers in the national economy. While the Moneycontrol piece refrained from taking overt political sides, it emphasized that any reform of such magnitude should be built on broad agreement rather than partisan maneuvering.
For many, the debate over the 130th Amendment Bill is emblematic of deeper fissures in Indian federalism. State leaders like Soren see the measure as a threat to the delicate balance between central authority and regional autonomy, a balance that has been central to India’s political stability since independence. Supporters of the bill, meanwhile, argue that it represents a necessary step in the fight against corruption and the criminalization of politics. They contend that ministers convicted of crimes—no matter how influential—should not remain in public office, and that the 30-day threshold is a reasonable safeguard against abuse of power.
Yet, as is so often the case in Indian politics, the truth is tangled in competing narratives. Soren’s supporters argue that the bill’s timing and framing are designed to target opposition leaders, particularly in states where the BJP is not in power. They point to the recent electoral roll revisions in Bihar and the central government’s assertive approach to state affairs as evidence of a broader strategy to erode regional checks on central authority. On the other hand, BJP leaders and their allies insist that the bill is about strengthening democracy, not weakening it, and accuse opposition parties of fearmongering to protect their own interests.
As the session drew to a close, Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahto reflected on the challenges facing the assembly, noting that "during the proceedings of the house, many members prioritized 'party directives' over their public commitments and local issues, which was a reason for concern." His remarks serve as a sobering reminder that, regardless of political affiliation, the ultimate test of any government is its ability to serve the people faithfully and transparently.
With the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill still under debate in Parliament and passions running high across the political spectrum, the coming months are likely to see further arguments—both in legislative chambers and on the streets. For now, the episode underscores the vitality, and the volatility, of Indian democracy, where every new law is a battleground for competing visions of the nation’s future.
