GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 31st Jan. In 2019, after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) emerged as the single-largest party in the Assembly polls, Hemant Soren rode a cycle in the courtyard of his residence in Ranchi, going around in circles. Now, he finds himself going in circles again with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on his tail for illegal mining contracts.
Jharkhand Chief Minister and de-facto JMM leader Hemant Soren has evaded 10 ED summonses and there are rumors that he might be arrested soon. Soren, who holds the mining and geology portfolios, obtained a mining lease in Ranchi district in June 2021 but surrendered it in February 2022 after facing criticism. Elected representatives are prohibited from entering into contracts with the government.
The fact that Hemant Soren might face legal consequences is not surprising news. The Enforcement Directorate is pursuing other cases against him as well. Therefore, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has a Plan B in place.
The Plan B is Kalpana Soren, Hemant Soren’s wife. Although she is not an MLA, arrangements will be made for her to become one. According to a senior journalist based in Ranchi, Kalpana Soren is likely to become the Chief Minister without facing any significant opposition within the party.
Reports suggest that JMM MLA Sarfaraz Ahmed has resigned from the Assembly to facilitate the implementation of Plan B. Ahmed, a three-time MLA, was previously associated with the Congress and joined the JMM before the 2019 polls.
The plan is for Kalpana Soren to contest a by-election from Gandey and get elected as an MLA. Kalpana Soren, originally from the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, holds an MBA and a master’s degree in engineering. She is well-educated, confident, and respected within the JMM.
There are no other potential challengers to Kalpana Soren within the JMM. Basant Soren, Hemant’s younger brother and MLA, is not well-liked within the party and lacks political acumen.
The Congress, with 17 seats, is facing internal issues and is not in a position to claim the Chief Minister’s chair. The RJD, another ally, has only one seat. Therefore, the path seems clear for Kalpana Soren to take over as the Chief Minister.
Sita Soren, a three-time MLA from the Jama constituency and wife of Shibu Soren’s eldest son, Durga, is known for her vocal stance on JMM’s policies and tribal issues. Her daughters, Jayshree and Rajshree, have also entered politics. While they may not pose an immediate threat, they could challenge Kalpana and Hemant Soren in the future.
If Hemant Soren is sidelined from politics due to corruption cases, Kalpana Soren becomes more than just JMM’s Plan B. She could potentially lead the party to new horizons.
