JMM MLA quits, BJP sniffs plan to make Soren's wife new CM

A three-time JMM MLA resigned unexpectedly from the Jharkhand assembly within hours of CM Hemant Soren ignoring a seventh ED summons in the Ranchi land scam case, leading BJP to predict Monday the latter would step down and have his wife Kalpana Soren take over the chief ministership via the vacated Gandey seat. Sarfaraz Ahmad, 64, provided grist for speculation by giving up his assembly membership without citing a reason. Speaker Rabindranath Mahto, who accepted the resi gnation, said Monday, “Given Ahmed’s seniority, I didn’t find it suitable to seek an explanation for him quitting.”