Hemant Soren To Take Oath As Jharkhand CM On November 26, INDIA Bloc Leaders To Attend: Reports

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren is poised to be sworn in as Chief Minister of Jharkhand for the fourth time on 26 November, according to sources.

Soren is expected to meet Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar at 4 p.m. today, 24 November, to formally stake his claim to form the government, sources revealed.

Photo Credit: PTI

The swearing-in ceremony is anticipated to be a grand event, with prominent leaders from the opposition INDIA bloc set to attend. Key figures include Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party head Akhilesh Yadav, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, and others.

Soren's return to power follows the JMM-led coalition's victory in the Jharkhand assembly elections. The alliance, comprising the JMM, Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and CPI-ML, secured a total of 56 seats in the 81-member assembly. The JMM won 34 seats, the Congress 16, the RJD 4, and the CPI-ML 2, ensuring a second consecutive term for the INDIA bloc alliance.

In stark contrast, the BJP suffered a humiliating defeat, winning only 21 seats-one of its worst performances since Jharkhand's formation in 2000.

Soren's personal political comeback was cemented with a decisive win in the Barhait assembly constituency, where he defeated BJP rival Gamliyel Hembrom by a solid margin of 39,791 votes.

"We have passed the exam of democracy in Jharkhand," Soren remarked during a press conference on Saturday, reflecting on the JMM-led coalition's electoral success.

Earlier in 2024, Soren had resigned as Chief Minister and faced arrest by the Enforcement Directorate over allegations of corruption linked to mining leases. After spending a few months in prison, he was granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court. Following his release, Soren resumed his leadership, steering the JMM-Congress coalition to not only overcome anti-incumbency but also secure a resounding mandate in the assembly elections.

The JMM-led alliance not only consolidated its tribal strongholds but also expanded its influence, delivering a severe blow to the BJP's aspirations of gaining ground in the state. Under Soren's leadership, the coalition's focus on tribal welfare and its underdog narrative resonated with voters, particularly in tribal-reserved constituencies. The BJP was defeated in 27 of the 28 tribal-reserved seats, signalling a rejection of their divisive campaign in favour of the JMM coalition's inclusive agenda.