New Delhi:
Hemant Soren will take oath as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand today after leading the INDIA alliance to a decisive victory in the recently concluded assembly elections.

1. Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar is expected to administer the oath of office and secrecy to Hemant Soren today. This will be the fourth time the 49-year-old will be taking oath.

2. Mr Soren, however, could be the only minister of the state to take oath today. According to information received so far, Mr Soren’s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha or JMM has not received any list of ministers from ally Congress. 

3. Sources indicated that the cabinet will be expanded next week, after the new government takes the vote of confidence. 

4. The JMM is expected to keep six ministerial berths in addition to the Chief Minister’s post. The Congress will get four berths and Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal will get one.

5. The CPI-ML, which has two MLAs, will support the government from outside.

6. Today’s oath ceremony will be held at the at Morhabadi ground in Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi. It is expected to be attended by top leaders of the INDIA bloc.  

7. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu are likely to attend the event.

8. The INDIA bloc won a second consecutive term in Jharkhand with a  decisive victory last week. The JMM won 34 of the state’s 81 seats while the Congress won 16, RJD four and CPI(ML) two seats. 

9. “I’m grateful to the people of Jharkhand for their continued trust in our leadership,” Mr Soren said in his victory speech. “This victory reflects the aspirations of the people, and we will work towards fulfilling them. This is a victory of the people and their vision for a peaceful and progressive Jharkhand,” he added.

10. Ahead of the oath ceremony, Mr Soren and his wife Kalpana Murmu Soren had visited Delhi and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss a collaborative roadmap for the state. While in Delhi, they also invited various INDIA bloc leaders for the oath ceremony.

Post a comment

New Delhi:

As the JMM-led INDIA bloc crossed the majority mark in the Jharkhand Assembly elections, Chief Minister Hemant Soren took to social media to share a photograph of him and his children. The JMM chief and his wife Kalpana Soren are parents to two boys. Sharing a picture of his two sons, he wrote, “My strength.” 

The ruling JMM-led alliance – which includes the Congress and the RJD – under Mr Soren’s leadership, appears poised to secure a majority in the 81-member Assembly, as per the latest Election Commission data. With leads in 51 seats, the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance seems to have effectively countered the BJP-led NDA, which was ahead in 29 constituencies.

मेरी शक्ति pic.twitter.com/6NP6O6Vl7R

— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) November 23, 2024

The BJP entered the fray with aggressive campaigning, focusing on issues such as “infiltrators” in the Santhal Parganas region. However, this narrative appears to have been overshadowed by the JMM’s emphasis on tribal identity and local pride, particularly amidst controversies surrounding Mr Soren’s legal battles and allegations of corruption.

According to the latest trends, the JMM was leading in 31 seats, the Congress in 14, and the RJD in four. The BJP held 26 leads, while smaller parties, including the AJSU Party and LJP (Ram Vilas), were ahead in a few scattered constituencies.

Key figures in the race include BJP state president Babulal Marandi, who maintained a lead in Dhanwar, and Congress heavyweight Rameshwar Oraon, who led in Lohardaga. On the JMM front, Mr Soren himself held a comfortable lead in Barhait, while his wife, Kalpana Soren, was trailing in Gandey.

The elections saw a record voter turnout of 67.74%, the highest since Jharkhand’s formation in 2000. Held in two phases on November 13 and 20, the polls reflected a deeply divided electorate. Exit polls had predicted a range of outcomes, with some forecasting a clear NDA win, while others saw the JMM-led bloc emerging victorious.

The JMM’s steady climb in the early hours of counting, despite a BJP surge, highlights the shifting dynamics of Jharkhand’s political landscape. The party’s grassroots connections, coupled with its emphasis on tribal rights and welfare, seem to have paid dividends against the BJP’s focus on national issues.

As counting progresses, the INDIA bloc appears confident of crossing the majority mark of 41 seats. If the trends hold, Hemant Soren is set to return as Chief Minister, buoyed by what he has described as the “strength” drawn not just from his family but also from the people of Jharkhand.

Ranchi:

As Jharkhand gears up for the second phase of the assembly elections tomorrow, the state faces a fierce battle between the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress alliance looking to retain power while the Bharatiya Janata Party and allies seeking to remove Chief Minister Hemant Soren-led government.

In the second phase, CM Hemant Soren’s Barhait constituency is one of the 38 assembly constituencies which will be going to polls. The BJP has fielded Gamliyel Hembrom in Barhait.

Another prominent face in the second phase is Babulal Marandi of BJP, contesting from Dhanwar constituency. He was leader of opposition in the outgoing assembly and is also the state’s first CM after the formation of the first assembly in 2000. He will be contesting against JMM’s Nizam Uddin Ansari.

Kalpana Soren, Jharkhand CM’s wife is in the fray iagainst BJP’s Muniya Devi in the Gandey assembly constituency. She won the assembly bypoll in Gandey held earlier this year.

Another prominent face in the assembly election is BJP’s Sita Soren. She is contesting from the Jamtara constituency.

The polling for the second phase elections will be starting at 7 am.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Ranchi:

Barhet, Jharkhand’s most high-profile assembly seat, stands at the crossroads of tradition and transformation. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, a two-time winner here, faces an invigorated challenge from BJP’s young candidate Gamaliyal Hembram. This contest is more than a political skirmish – it’s a reflection of tribal identity, legacy, and aspirations.

Historical Battleground

Nestled in the historical Santhal Pargana region, Barhet holds deep cultural and political significance. Known as Damin-e-Koh, or “lap of the mountain,” this land has been home to the Santhals since 1832 when the British designated it as their settlement area for farming. It was here, in 1855, that the Santhal Rebellion, or “Hool,” erupted against British exploitation, led by Sidho, Kanhu, Chand, and Bhairav.

Today, Barhet remains a Scheduled Tribes (reserved) seat, with Santhals and Pahadias making up 71 per cent of the electorate and Muslims comprising another 10 per cent. The bow-and-arrow symbol of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) holds a sacred place in the hearts of the tribal population, symbolising their identity and resistance. However, in this election, the loyalty tied to tradition is being questioned.

The Contenders: Soren vs Hembram

Hemant Soren, carrying the weight of state leadership, has spent limited time in Barhet during this campaign. Yet, his confidence remains unshaken. “Despite limited resources, people see the injustice we’ve faced. They will respond at the polls,” he said. However, his path to a third consecutive victory isn’t unchallenged.

Gamaliyal Hembram, a local leader and a former para-teacher, is leveraging his grassroots connection to mount a strong challenge. Known for his work in organising football tournaments and running a school from his home, Mr Hembram embodies the local ethos. Walking barefoot through villages in traditional attire, he asks voters whether they’ve benefited from government schemes. While his 2019 performance on an AJSU ticket yielded only 2,573 votes, his candidacy this time has BJP’s backing, adding new momentum to his campaign.

Barhet’s electorate, while deeply tied to traditional symbols, is beginning to raise critical questions. In tribal women’s gatherings, concerns about unfulfilled promises, water scarcity, and poor education facilities dominate the discourse.

“Water is a major issue,” says Vidhu Pahariya. “We have no schools or teachers,” echoes Chandu Pahariya. Their frustration stems from unaddressed basic needs, despite the promises made during previous campaigns.

Yet, perspectives shift closer to Barhet’s bus stand, where Muslim voters openly back Soren. Mohammad Arif Ansari points to roads, electricity, and water tanks as evidence of development under Soren’s leadership, while Mohammad Shamim adds, “Every locality has seen some improvement. Work is ongoing.”

Barhet’s political narrative is interwoven with its historical and cultural legacy. In the Barhet assembly constituency, there are a total of nine candidates in the fray, including Mr Soren. However, the real contest is a direct face-off between Mr Soren and Mr Hembram of the BJP.

Back in 1990, Hemlal Murmu wrested this seat from Congress candidate Thomas Hansda, and since then, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has maintained an unbroken hold over it. In 2004, when Hemlal Murmu became MP, the JMM fielded Thomas Soren from this seat.

In 2014, JMM secured 46.18 per cent of the votes here, compared to BJP’s 28.38 per cent. That year, Mr Soren received 62,515 votes, while BJP’s Hemlal Murmu managed 38,428 votes. In 2019, Mr Soren widened the margin further, winning 73,725 votes compared to BJP’s Simon Malto, who garnered 47,985 votes.

Mr Soren has consistently increased his victory margin. Despite this, Mr Hembram remains optimistic and confident about his chances.

“It is my duty to fight for the right to have a government by the people and for the people. Our deaf and dumb government has failed to deliver and violated the Constitution. Now, the people of Barhet will change the throne, crown, and the dishonest rule,” Mr Hembram said.

The BJP has amplified its rhetoric around Bangladeshi infiltrators, a divisive issue in the region. While Mr Hembram frames it as a fight for the rights of native minorities, Mr Soren dismisses it as an attempt to polarise voters and distract from real issues like education and healthcare.

As Barhet prepares to vote, the stakes go beyond political power. For Mr Soren, it’s about maintaining his connection to the tribal heartland while carrying the weight of the state leadership. For Mr Hembram, it’s a fight to reclaim the narrative and provide an alternative for the region’s underrepresented communities.

Barhet’s voters are caught between the pull of tradition and the push for change. As they weigh their options, this election could reshape the political and cultural landscape of one of Jharkhand’s most iconic constituencies.

Ranchi:

The first phase of the Jharkhand assembly election is over. Now, all eyes are on Jamtara, a region in the state notorious for cyber frauds, yet brimming with promises of change and development.

On November 20, the people of Jamtara will decide between 13 candidates, but the contest is particularly heated between two candidates – Congress MLA Irfan Ansari and BJP’s Sita Soren, the daughter-in-law of Jharkhand’s political veteran Shibu Soren and sister-in-law of Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

Congress MLA Irfan Ansari rallies with the message of progress, touting his work in infrastructure and social development. His track record includes the construction of roads, hospitals, and a major bridge – one he claims to be the largest in Jharkhand’s history.

At a late-night gathering with supporters at his house, Mr Ansari reflects on his contributions, admitting that transforming Jamtara into a city akin to Ranchi or Deoghar needs time. “Jamtara was a village,” he says. “Now there are roads, hospitals, universities. I have given the biggest bridge in Jharkhand. But true transformation takes time.”

However, the Congress candidate recently found himself in controversy over a viral statement regarding his opponent. A first information report (FIR) was filed, though Mr Ansari claims the statement was doctored. He vows to pursue defamation after the election. “Watch the whole video,” he says. “I will resign from politics if I am wrong.”

On the other side, Sita Soren is running her campaign with a promise of “change.” The BJP candidate, an heir to the legacy of Durga Soren, pledges to fulfil her late husband’s dream of developing Jamtara. “My husband wanted to make Jama like Japan,” she says. “We need change across the entire state, not just Jamtara.”

The rivalry between Mr Ansari and Ms Soren has intensified with allegations flying from both sides. While Ms Soren rejects Mr Ansari’s statements as baseless accusations, she asserts her commitment to development. “If there is an incident, let them say it. Ever since I received the party ticket, they’ve been calling me an outsider. Prove it if it’s true,” she says.

The BJP has raised concerns over alleged Bangladeshi infiltration, particularly in Santhal Pargana areas, framing it as a significant election issue. The Congress, however, dismisses this as divisive politics. Mr Ansari challenges the narrative, asserting, “There are no infiltrators. This talk only poisons young minds.” Ms Soren, meanwhile, contends that demographic shifts raise valid concerns about the impact on tribal population.

Jamtara, once known for its ties to reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, has gained a darker reputation as a cybercrime hub, drawing national attention after becoming the subject of a web series. In villages such as Sindarjori and Karamatand, stories are abound of luxurious homes built with fraudulent wealth.

Police records show that in 2021, Jamtara saw 76 cybercrime cases with 187 arrests, with similar figures in 2022. Despite a dip in national cybercrime shares, Jamtara still bears nearly 10 per cent of India’s cases – a shadow that looms over the election landscape.

With a mixed electorate comprising 30.10 per cent Muslim and 27.12 per cent tribal voters, both Mr Ansari and Ms Soren are vying for influence within these demographics. The Congress’s strong historical hold, with 12 wins out of 18 elections since 1952, faces a formidable challenge from the BJP. Mr Ansari’s father, Furkan Ansari, served as MLA here five times, solidifying a family legacy.

Yet, as the campaign escalates, local youths expressed concern that the focus on national and party lines is overshadowing urgent local issues such as healthcare, education, and employment. “We need better schools and colleges, no talk about infiltrators,” says a local resident, Ganesh Mandal, highlighting the pressing need for emergency facilities and basic healthcare.

As Jamtara prepares to vote, the choice is between continuity and a new direction. With accusations, promises, and legacies in the mix, the electorate faces a complex decision. This high-stakes election may very well set the course for Jamtara’s future, as residents hope for a path that bridges their needs with the promises made on the campaign trail.

With its layered history and current notoriety, Jamtara remains a unique constituency. As election day nears, it stands as a microcosm of Jharkhand’s broader challenges-a battle for progress amidst legacy, change, and the ghosts of cybercrime.

Ranchi:

 The Congress has released its final list of candidates for the Jharkhand Assembly elections, naming Shweta Singh from Bokaro and Ajay Dubey from Dhanbad.

Voting in these two constituencies is slated for November 20 in the second phase while the last date for filing nominations is October 29.

Shweta Singh was the Congress candidate from Bokaro in the 2019 Assembly polls, in which she was defeated by BJP’s Biranchi Narayan by about 10,000 votes. She is the daughter-in-law of late Samaresh Singh, who was a former MLA from Bokaro and one of the stalwart leaders of Jharkhand.

Ajay Dubey, who has been made a candidate from Dhanbad assembly seat, has been associated with the Congress for a long time and has held many posts in the party. He contested as the Congress candidate from Dhanbad Lok Sabha seat in 2014, and was defeated by BJP’s P.N. Singh by more than 2.92 lakh votes.

Congress has so far declared candidates for 30 seats in Jharkhand. In its first list, the party named 21 candidates, in the second list it nominated seven candidates, and the remaining two candidates were named in the third list released late on Monday — with just a day left for filing nomination.

The party has denied ticket to only one of its current MLAs in Jharkhand. Congress legislator from Barhi seat Umashankar Akela, after being denied a ticket by the party, has entered the fray on the Samajwadi Party ticket.

Voting for the 81 seats of the Jharkhand Assembly will be held in two phases on November 13 and 20, while the counting of votes is slated for November 23.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The Congress released its first list of 21 candidates for the Jharkhand Assembly polls on Monday night, fielding Finance Minister Rameshwar Oraon from the Lohardaga seat reserved for Scheduled Tribes.

Senior Congress leader and the party’s in-charge for Tripura, Odisha and Nagaland, Ajoy Kumar, will contest the election from the Jamshedpur East constituency.

The former police officer, who has been a Lok Sabha MP from Jamshedpur in the past, is contesting the Assembly polls this time.

Mr Oraon, also a former police officer, is a former Jharkhand Congress chief.

Among others, Shipli Neha Tirkey has been fielded from the Mandar (ST) constituency. She is the incumbent MLA from the seat. Her father, Bandhu Tirkey, is the chairman of the Congress’s manifesto committee for the Jharkhand polls.

Earlier, the top Congress leadership, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with several senior leaders, deliberated on the candidates’ names at a meeting of the party’s Central Election Committee.

The Congress is in an alliance with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in Jharkhand and currently shares power in the eastern state.

The Jharkhand polls will be held in two phases on November 13 and November 20, and the counting of votes will be taken up on November 23.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Ranchi:

INDIA bloc will contest the upcoming Jharkhand assembly polls together, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced today. The Congress and ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha will field candidates in 70 of the 81 assembly segments, he said.

“We can’t go into the details of the seat-sharing right now. Our alliance partner is not here right now. When they are here, we will finalise the number of seats and other details,” Mr Soren told reporters, adding seat-sharing talks are on with other alliance partners – RJD and Left parties – for the remaining 11 segments.

Jharkhand will vote in two phases on November 13 and 20. Votes will be counted on November 23.

In the last elections, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha or JMM had contested 43 seats while Congress contested 31 seats. But this time around, the Congress is likely to get somewhere between 27 to 28 seats, sources said. The JMM is expected to increase its share because it believes that Hemant Soren is a key face in Jharkhand and the grand alliance will get votes on his name, they added.

According to the sources, the Communist Party of India (M-L) and Marxist Coordination Committee (MMC) also want to join forces with the JMM and Congress in this election. The Rashtriya Janata Dal, which fought on seven seats in the last assembly polls, is expected to contest fewer seats this time and agree to give the Bagodar seat to CPI (M-L) and Nirsa to MMC, they added.

Mr Soren’s announcement came a day after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) revealed its seat-sharing formula for the state. BJP will contest 68 seats, while its allies, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) will contest 10, Janata Dal (United) will contest two and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) will contest the lone seat of Chatra.

“NDA is at its strongest in Jharkhand so far. It has never been in history that four parties have come together to fight the elections. NDA allies are even ready to swap their seats at the last moment if needed. We are ready to throw the corrupt government off the seat. All NDA members should come and fight with us. Hemant Soren’s government is the most corrupt in the state’s history,” said Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pratul Shah Deo.

In the 2019 Assembly polls, the JMM won 30 of the 81 seats, the Congress 16 and the RJD won one seat. The three parties formed a coalition government with a comfortable majority. The BJP won 25 seats, down from 37 in 2014, while the AJSU Party, contesting alone, ended up winning two seats.

Ranchi:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said rampant infiltration has led to the shrinking of tribal population in Jharkhand and added that if the BJP forms the next government in the state, it will release a ‘White Paper’ on demography to protect tribal lands and rights.

Amit Shah expressed confidence in the BJP forming a government in Jharkhand, noting that the party won in 52 of 81 assembly segments in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing party workers at Prabhat Tara Ground during BJP’s extended executive committee meeting, he said, “After forming a government in Jharkhand, we will bring out a ‘White Paper’ on demography to protect tribal people, their lands, reservation, and rights.” 

Without naming Hemant Soren, he accused Jharkhand’s tribal Chief Minister of being involved in “Love Jihad” and “Land Jihad” due to his “vote bank and appeasement policy,” which Amit Shah claimed was causing demographic changes.

He alleged that thousands of infiltrators were entering Jharkhand, marrying tribal women, obtaining certificates, and buying land, thus usurping jobs meant for local people.

Amit Shah criticised Hemant Soren for focusing on increasing his vote bank and alleged that his welfare measures primarily benefit his family.

“Infiltrators are usurping jobs meant for local people and Hemant Soren is busy increasing his vote bank. His welfare measures means welfare of his family,” he alleged.

Amit Shah also targeted INDIA bloc and Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of “displaying arrogance” despite losing the Lok Sabha polls and being involved in scams worth Rs 12 lakh-crore, appeasement, dynastic politics, and compromising national security.

He also questioned Rahul Gandhi’s conduct in Parliament, asserting that such arrogance was not evident even among leaders who won elections with a two-thirds majority.

“Many become arrogant after winning, but this is the first time I’m seeing such arrogance after a defeat…You must have seen Rahul Gandhiji’s conduct in Parliament…This arrogance is not reflected even after winning two-third of seats,” Amit Shah remarked.

He said, “The BJP got more seats in this Lok Sabha election than Congress’s combined numbers in 2014, 2019, 2024 polls,” alleging that the JMM-led alliance is one of the most corrupt governments in the country and it was time to show it the exit door.

Referring to the recovery of over Rs 300 crore from the premises linked to a former Congress MP in Jharkhand, Amit Shah asked people whether they had seen such a huge cash and to whom did the funds belong. He also referred to recovery of about Rs 30 crore from the house of the PA of a former Jharkhand minister and alleged that Congress was encouraging corruption.

“Congress will give tickets to the former minister to contest the election again,” he alleged.

Amit Shah highlighted various scams in Jharkhand, including a Rs 1,000-crore MNREGA scam, a Rs 300-crore land scam involving Army land, a Rs 1,000-crore mining scam, and a Rs 40-crore liquor scam, as well as an ongoing ‘transfer posting scam’ amounting to thousands of crores.

Emphasising the BJP’s commitment to Jharkhand’s development, Amit Shah noted that during Congress’s regime, only Rs 84,000 crore was allocated for the state’s development, whereas under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP government ensured Rs 3.84 lakh crore for the state in the past 10 years.

He credited the BJP with containing the Naxalite menace and providing the state with its first tribal Chief Minister.

“It is the BJP who made a tribal woman the President of India and included Santhali language in the eighth schedule of the Constitution. A number of schemes for the country were launched from Jharkhand,” he said and added that the BJP government also worked for OBC welfare.

“The present cabinet under PM Modi has a 27 per cent representation of OBCs… PM Modi has done much work for the welfare of OBCs, Dalits and tribals…He has done work towards strengthening national security,” he added.

BJP leaders including Union minister Annapurna Devi, Laxmikant Bajpai and Arjun Munda were also present on the occasion.

Later, the Union Minister also held a meeting with party leaders including MLAs and MPs at the party headquarters here.

After the meeting, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Aditya Sahu said the Home Minister instructed them to take the party’s works that have been implemented in the state among the common people.

BJP MLA Anant Ojha said, “He (Amit Shah) gave us a roadmap. We are going to launch an agitation from the village’s choupal to the state capital on issues pertaining the youth and women and expose the current government which was formed on lies.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)