On Sunday, Hemant Soren, the executive president of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), resigned as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand and formally requested to form a new government. This came a day after his JMM-led alliance secured a remarkable victory in the state elections.
Soren announced that the oath-taking ceremony for the new government would take place on November 28. His resignation followed a unanimous decision by the leaders of the INDIA alliance in the state to elect him as their legislature party leader.
Soren met with Governor Santosh Gangwar to submit his resignation and officially claimed the opportunity to form the government for a second consecutive term.
Hemant Soren Set to Take Oath as Jharkhand CM
After a decisive victory in the Jharkhand Assembly elections, Hemant Soren is set to take the oath of office as Chief Minister on November 28. His Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance won the election, paving the way for his return to power.
Despite facing strong opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA alliance, which ran an intense campaign, the JMM secured 56 seats in the 81-member assembly, well ahead of the BJP’s 24 seats.
Today, Soren met Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar to submit his resignation as Chief Minister and formally claim the right to form the new government.
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Hemant Soren’s Political Resurgence
Hemant Soren, who faced significant challenges this year, including a legal battle and an arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), emerged victorious in the recent elections. The 49-year-old secured a win from the Barhait constituency, defeating BJP’s Gamliyel Hembrom by 39,791 votes.
After being granted bail earlier this year, Soren made a strong comeback to politics, energized and focused. His wife, Kalpana Soren, who played a crucial role in supporting the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) during his absence, also triumphed in her Gandey seat with a 17,142-vote margin.
Following the election results, Soren thanked the people of Jharkhand and praised the INDIA alliance’s impressive performance, calling it a “test of democracy.” The JMM’s success is seen as a reaffirmation of tribal voters’ loyalty to Soren’s leadership, despite BJP’s efforts to challenge the ruling government.
BJP’s Aggressive Campaign
The BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, launched an aggressive campaign focusing on accusations of corruption within the Soren-led government and claims of “Bangladesh infiltration.”
Despite holding rallies and leveraging the full strength of its leadership, the BJP’s strategy failed to deliver the desired results, unlike its recent success in Maharashtra.
The BJP contested 68 seats but only won 21, securing a vote share of 33.18%. While this was higher than the JMM’s 23.44%, it was still insufficient to claim a majority.
Internal disputes also hindered the BJP’s performance, particularly around candidate nominations, as several key figures, including Kedar Hazra and Louis Marandi, switched to the JMM just before the election. Some analysts believe the BJP’s failure to field a strong local tribal leader as their campaign face was a strategic mistake.
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JMM’s Winning Strategy
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) focused on welfare initiatives to tackle the economic difficulties faced by rural communities in the state. One of their most popular policies was the Maiyan Samman Yojna, which provides financial support to women aged 18-50 years. Initially offering ₹1,000 per month, the JMM promised to increase this amount to ₹2,500 after the election.
Additionally, Mr. Hemant Soren’s government forgave farm loans up to ₹2 lakh, benefiting over 1.75 lakh farmers. Other key measures included waiving pending electricity bills and launching a free electricity scheme for households using up to 200 units, which gained significant support from lower-income families.
JMM’s victory was also a testament to Mr. Soren’s strong ties with the state’s tribal communities. His father, Shibu Soren, the founder of the JMM and a former Chief Minister, continues to wield considerable influence in Jharkhand politics. Both Shibu Soren and his wife, Rupi Soren, were seen offering their blessings to Mr. Soren and his wife following the election outcome.
Also Read: Hemant Soren to Return as Jharkhand CM
FAQs
Q.1. Why did Hemant Soren resign as Jharkhand CM?
Ans. Hemant Soren resigned to formally request the opportunity to form a new government after his alliance’s victory in the state elections.
Q.2. When is Hemant Soren’s oath-taking ceremony?
Ans. Hemant Soren will take the oath as Chief Minister of Jharkhand on November 28.
Q.3. How did JMM perform in the Jharkhand elections?
Ans. JMM secured 56 seats in the 81-member assembly, defeating the BJP’s 24 seats.
Q.4. What welfare schemes helped JMM win?
Ans. JMM’s popular policies like Maiyan Samman Yojna and loan waivers for farmers resonated with voters, especially in rural areas.
Q.5. What role did tribal support play in JMM’s victory?
Ans. JMM’s victory reflects the strong support from Jharkhand’s tribal communities, with Hemant Soren continuing his father’s legacy.
