Hemant Soren, JMM leader, will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand on November 28 as his party has emerged victorious with an overwhelming majority in the Assembly polls. The alliance led by the party won 56 out of the 81-member assembly, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managing to get just 24 seats. This victory marks Hemant Soren come-back as a leader after political challenges had almost relegated him to oblivion.
Even as the BJP launched a fierce, high-profile campaign, the JMM managed to retain its stronghold mainly due to its welfare-oriented approach and tribal vote loyalty. Sources have confirmed that Soren will meet Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar to stake his claim to form the government.
Trials and Tribulations: Hemant Soren’s Political Journey
Hemant Soren’s journey to this triumph was not easy. A few months ago, he was struggling with issues in court, even facing an arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The bail helped him regain focus in politics and win from Barhait constituency convincingly, defeating BJP candidate Gamliyel Hembrom by 39,791 votes.
His wife, Kalpana Soren, is the biggest stabilizer for the party in his judicial tussle. She comfortably won the Gandey constituency by a margin of 17,142 votes and is gaining high grounds in the Jharkhand political scenario.
In these trying moments, his undying leadership has been cemented as one of the significant leaders of the state, especially for the tribal masses.
Hemant Soren: JMM’s Winning Strategy
The JMM’s campaign was rooted in addressing the economic and social challenges of Jharkhand’s rural population. Among its flagship initiatives was the Maiyan Samman Yojna, which provides financial aid to women aged 18–50. Initially set at ₹1,000 per month, the party promised to increase the benefit to ₹2,500 after the elections.
The Soren government also introduced impactful policies such as:
- Farm Loan Waiver: Loans up to ₹2 lakh were waived, benefiting 1.75 lakh farmers.
- Electricity Bill Relief: Waivers for outstanding electricity dues and free electricity up to 200 units for lower-income households.
- These welfare measures resonated deeply with voters, particularly in rural and tribal areas, strengthening the JMM’s connection with its core base.
BJP’s Aggressive Yet Unsuccessful Campaign
The BJP launched a massive campaign under the leadership of BJP’s senior leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The party highlighted issues concerning alleged corruption in the Soren-led government and claims of fostering infiltration from Bangladesh.
Despite all these, BJP’s campaign performance was still perceived as weak in terms of creating an impact. Analysts held that the BJP failed to project a tribal leader as its campaign’s face. Additionally, internal conflicts over selecting candidates and defections to the JMM weakened its position.
However, though the BJP vote share was at 33.18% with the JMM standing at 23.44%, they could not convert that into seats due to tactical mistakes and a poor grassroots contact.
Hemant Soren: Sons of the Soil and Tribal Loyalty
Hemant Soren’s victory has strong roots in the legacy of the JMM, an organisation that has been known for championing tribal rights. His father Shibu Soren had been a founding leader of the JMM and also Chief Minister at one point. The loyalty of the tribal communities towards the Soren family played an important role in the success of the JMM.
Shibu Soren and his wife, Rupi Soren, publicly blessed Hemant and Kalpana Soren after the election results, symbolizing the family’s continued significance in Jharkhand’s political and cultural landscape.
Hemant Soren : Implications of the Victory
With this victory, the JMM has saved the INDIA bloc, of which it is an integral member, with its assertions that haven’t defeated the real-foundations of the bloc in regional politics. Hemant Soren coming back to power will himself believe in welfare and continue to strengthen his party’s focus towards tribal and rural development.
The defeat is a moment of introspection for BJP-more particularly in campaign strategy and reaching out to the tribal groups.
FAQs
1. When does Hemant Soren take oath as Chief Minister of Jharkhand?
He will take oath as the Chief Minister on November 28.
2. What were the prime reasons behind JMM’s win?
The strong tribal support, Hemant Soren’s leadership, and the welfare schemes by JMM were some of the prime reasons for the win.
3. How did the BJP perform in the elections?
The BJP won 24 seats from 81, while the party only secured 33.18% vote share. Moreover, internal conflicts and no leadership in tribal areas played an important role in their failure.
4. What were the hurdles Hemant Soren had to meet before the election?
Before the election, Hemant Soren was facing legal challenges. He also was arrested by ED but ended up with a major margin win from the Barhait constituency.
5. What does this victory augur for JMM?
Victory will strengthen the JMM’s hold as a major regional party. Consolidate welfare and tribal rights issues in electoral considerations, further cementing the foundation for governance.
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