"There are no rifts in our family, this is not Nishikant Dubey's family": JMM leader Basant Soren

Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], January 30 (ANI): Reacting to the remarks made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey that rifts are happening in the family of Chief Minister Hemant Soren over his wife's (Kalpana Soren) candidature on becoming the next Jharkhand CM, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Basant Soren on Monday said that this is not the family of BJP MP where rifts keep on happening adding that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is united on all issues.
Basant Soren, who is also the brother of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, said that any decision that will be taken will have the party's and state's welfare in mind.
In a telephonic conversation with ANI, JMM MLA from Dumka, Basant Soren said, "Our family is united. The decision which is good for the party and state's welfare will be taken."
When asked about Nishikant Dubey's claim over the rift in his family, Basant Soren said," Do you have any doubt that the family is not united? This is not Nishikant Dubey's family but Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. These things (rift) happen in his family only. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is a united family."
On allegations that Centre is harassing Hemant Soren due to his tribal status, Basant Soren said, "We are not saying this. People of Jharkhand are saying this. This is the public's opinion."
Earlier today, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey claimed that Dumka MLA Basant Soren and Hemant Soren's sister-in-law Sita Soren are refusing to accept the proposal of Kalpana Soren becoming the next Jharkhand Chief Minister.
"According to the current information, MLA Sita Soren ji and MLA Basant Soren ji have refused to accept Chief Minister Hemant Soren ji's wife Kalpana Soren ji or other MLAs as the Chief Minister. Both the MLAs are absent from the legislature party meeting being held in Ranchi," Nishikant Dubey posted on X.
Earlier today, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren chaired a meeting with ministers of his ruling coalition amid allegations by the BJP that the JMM chief was "absconding" to avoid the Enforcement Directorate's probe into an alleged land scam case.
The chief of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) was seen coming out of his residence in Ranchi today ahead of the meeting.
Soren, in a letter to the Enforcement Directorate, said he would record his statement before the agency officials at 1 pm on Wednesday, January 31 at his residence in Ranchi. (ANI)