Jharkhand Power Shift: How Champai Soren Emerged Victorious Amidst Kalpana Vs Sita Feud

There was intense political drama and a buzz of a regime change in Jharkhand. MLAs of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the Congress, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) coalition were flown to Raipur, in then Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh.

From the airport, the MLAs were taken to a luxurious resort in Nava Raipur.

Photo Credit: PTI

Jharkhand witnesses political drama

The resort politics played out after Hemant Soren, the Jharkhand Chief Minister, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to poach coalition MLAs to bring down his government.

Around the same time, concerns against the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand were voiced by Chief Minister Hemant Soren's sister-in-law, Sita Soren.

She alleged that the Jharkhand government had been ineffective in curbing the "loot of land" in the mineral-rich state. Sita Soren is a three-time MLA and the wife of Hemant's elder brother, Durga Soren, who died at the age of 39 in 2009.

Recap of Jharkhand political turmoil

Jharkhand is currently in the midst of an intense political drama as Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren faces imminent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Extra security has been requested by the ED as it prepares to question Hemant Soren on Wednesday.

The JMM is gearing up to implement its Plan B, designating Hemant Soren's wife Kalpana as the leader. However, Sita has reemerged and is perceived as the challenger. The family feud within the JMM's first family could lead to uncertainties.

Of the 49 coalition MLAs, 35 are reported to have participated in a meeting on Tuesday, as per reports. The rest are believed to be supporting Sita Soren against the JMM's Plan B, according to the reports.

Sita Soren Slams Hemant Government

While the Jharkhand government faced criticism for rampant corruption from Sita Soren, Hemant Soren had already been under opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and scrutiny by central law enforcement agencies.

In February 2022, Hemant Soren had to surrender a mining lease of 0.88 acres after an uproar, which he had obtained in 2021.

"The vision of Guruji (Shibu Soren, JMM supremo) and my husband, Jal, Jungle, Jameen (water, forest, and land), is being destroyed," accused Sita Soren in April 2022.

"Corrupt officers are being shielded. The people had hopes for our government, but now they are disappointed," added Sita.

Kalpana Soren Emerges as Plan B

Almost one and a half years later, starting on Monday, January 29, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren went "untraceable" for more than 30 hours. By then, 10 Enforcement Directorate (ED) summonses had been evaded by Soren, and there was a buzz that he could be arrested.

However, Hemant Soren showed up at his Ranchi residence on Tuesday, January 30, the very next day. To mitigate the political turmoil, an order was issued by the JMM-led coalition for its MLAs to stay in Ranchi for a meeting with CM Hemant Soren.

The meeting to discuss the next course of action was also attended by Kalpana Soren, Hemant Soren's wife. Kalpana, who is seen as Plan B, with Hemant Soren's arrest imminent, is projected as Hemant Soren's successor.

"There is absolutely little doubt that Kalpana Soren will take over as the Chief Minister. She doesn't have any real challenger and will be accepted by everyone in the party," said a senior Ranchi-based journalist to IndiaToday.In, on condition of anonymity.

BJP MP from Godda, Jharkhand, Nishikant Dubey, who had speculated a change in guard in Jharkhand, re-affirmed what he had said before.

"Hemant Soren-ji will also resign from the post of Chief Minister and his wife, Kalpana Soren-ji, will take over as the next Chief Minister. The new year looks painful for the Soren family," wrote Dubey on X.

Sita Soren Asserts Legacy

On one hand, there is speculation surrounding the potential leadership shift in Jharkhand, particularly if Hemant Soren, the current leader, faces arrest.

In this context, Kalpana Soren emerges as a prominent figure, despite not holding the position of an MLA and never having done so. On the other hand, Sita Soren, a three-time JMM MLA, also harbors ambitions for the top political position in the state.

Local media reports suggest that Sita Soren is positioning herself as the natural successor to the political legacy of Shibu Soren and her late husband, Durga Soren.

She emphatically claims to be the inheritor of this legacy, citing her status as the elder daughter-in-law of the Soren family. Moreover, she underscores the historical significance of her late husband's agitation for the creation of Jharkhand, aligning herself closely with the cause.

In contrast, Sita Soren expresses reservations about the prospect of Kalpana Soren assuming the Chief Minister's post, emphasizing her own familial ties and historical connections to the political struggle for the formation of Jharkhand.

The unfolding dynamics within the Soren family and the political landscape of Jharkhand indicate a complex and competitive scenario for leadership succession.

Sita Soren's opposition is nothing new

Sita Soren's opposition to the JMM and her criticisms of its functioning are not new occurrences. Holding the position of General Secretary in JMM, she accused the Dhanbad SSP of supporting illegal coal mining and its transportation in the area.

In 2021, she brought attention to the issue by tagging the Union Home Minister and the ED, alleging that the state suffered significant financial losses due to illegal mining.

In April 2022, when accusations arose claiming the destruction of the vision of Shibu Soren and Durga Soren, Sita Soren took the matter to Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais.

She submitted a memorandum seeking action against a mining firm in Jharkhand's Chatra, emphasizing the preservation of forests and alleging the protection of corrupt officials by the Hemant Soren-led government. Adding to the resistance, Sita Soren's daughters also voiced their opinions periodically.

Sita Soren's Daughters Take Center Stage

In the realm of political dissent, two of Sita Soren's daughters actively participated, aligning themselves with their mother's stance against the government. Despite the existence of a students' organization and a youth wing within the JMM, Rajshree and Jayshree Soren established Durga Soren Sena on the Vijayadashami of 2021.

The organization was founded with the explicit goal of combating corruption, displacement, and plunder in Jharkhand.

Emphasizing that their outfit was not a political entity, Sita's daughters asserted that they had the approval of their grandfather, Shibu Soren. In 2021, the JMM expelled 12 members from its Chatra unit, citing "anti-party activities." Subsequently, these "rebels" aligned themselves with the Durga Soren Sena.

Despite being a sitting JMM MLA, the party remained silent on Sita Soren's association with her daughters' organization. The following year, Sita Soren's third daughter, Vijayshree, assumed the role of Central President of the Durga Soren Sena.

In April 2022, she vocalized her criticism, stating that Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren was "surrounded by corrupt people." Notably, both Kalpana and Sita hail from the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, which is also the home district of President Droupadi Murmu.

Basant Soren Joins Sita Soren

Amidst the ongoing political turmoil in Jharkhand, where Kalpana Soren, the wife of Hemant Soren, is being touted as the potential next Chief Minister, questions arise about the extent of support she commands from coalition MLAs.

Statements made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Tuesday (January 30) fuel speculations that not all MLAs are endorsing Kalpana Soren's candidacy for forming the government in Jharkhand.

According to Dubey, a consensus on Kalpana Soren's name could not be reached in the legislative party meeting held on Tuesday, with Sita Soren and Basant Soren registering their protest.

Only 35 MLAs attended the meeting, despite the Mahagathbandhan holding 49 seats in the 81-member house, and the MLAs signed on plain paper, as per Godda MP Dubey.

Recent statements made by Sita Soren to the local media further indicate her continued resistance against Kalpana Soren's potential installation as Chief Minister. Notably, Basant Soren, the youngest son of Shibu Soren, has reportedly aligned his voice with the opposition led by Sita Soren.

Sita Soren emphasized, "If Kalpana Soren is made the Chief Minister, I will not accept that decision," asserting her rights as the elder daughter-in-law of the house.

As Hemant Soren faces the impending questioning by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday, the political turmoil takes on a new dimension.

Additionally, Sita Soren, who faces opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding her election to the Scheduled Tribes (ST) seat, Jama, adds another layer to the unfolding political scenario.