RANCHI, 24: Nov. 24—Hemant Soren is set to be sworn in as Jharkhand Chief Minister on November 28, following his Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance’s commanding victory in the assembly elections.
The coalition secured 56 out of 81 seats, easily surpassing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) tally of 24. Despite an aggressive campaign by the BJP-led NDA, Soren’s return to power solidifies his position as a key figure in the state’s political landscape.
After meeting Governor Santosh Gangwar to formally resign and stake his claim to form the government, Soren said, “This victory belongs to the people of Jharkhand, who have shown faith in our vision and leadership.”
Resilience Amid Challenges
Soren’s victory follows a tumultuous year marked by legal battles and a brief arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Undeterred, the 49-year-old not only retained his Barhait constituency, defeating BJP’s Gamliyel Hembrom by 39,791 votes, but also steered his party to victory. His wife, Kalpana Soren, played a pivotal role during his legal troubles, ensuring party stability and winning her Gandey seat by a margin of 17,142 votes.
“The people have passed the exam of democracy,” Soren said, attributing the INDIA bloc’s success to grassroots support, particularly among tribal communities. Analysts view the JMM’s win as a reaffirmation of tribal voters’ loyalty, countering the BJP’s attempts to expand its influence in the state.
BJP’s Campaign Falls Short
Despite a campaign led by BJP heavyweights including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the party’s efforts to unseat the Soren government fell flat. The BJP accused the incumbent administration of corruption and enabling “infiltration” from Bangladesh, but these claims failed to resonate with voters.
The BJP contested 68 seats, securing only 21 with a vote share of 33.18 percent—higher than the JMM’s 23.44 percent, yet insufficient for a majority. The defeat marks a significant setback for the NDA, which had hoped to replicate its recent successes in states like Maharashtra.
As Soren prepares to take the oath of office, his alliance’s victory is seen as a mandate for his leadership and a rejection of the BJP’s aggressive tactics. The focus now shifts to how his government will navigate its second term amid high expectations and renewed scrutiny.
