Hemant Soren’s fight for Jharkhand: Legal woes, political struggles, and a commitment to tribals | India News – Times of India

Jharkhand’s youngest chief minister faces legal battles, political turbulence, and fierce opposition but remains committed to his tribe-first agenda.

NEW DELHI: Hemant Soren, the 49-year-old chief minister of Jharkhand, has had a career shaped by resilience, legal battles, and political struggles. Known for his advocacy of tribal rights, Soren’s journey to the top has been far from smooth, marked by challenges that have only strengthened his resolve.
Having recently returned to office for a third term, mere days after being released on bail, Soren’s career has been tumultuous.

“I have been a victim of a conspiracy designed to destabilize my government,” Soren has consistently stated, pointing to his arrest in a money laundering case related to a land scam. He believes that these legal issues were politically motivated, a claim that resonates with his supporters who view him as a champion for the tribal community.
Soren’s political trajectory has been marked by a combination of opportunity and adversity. Born in 1975 in Nemra village near Hazaribag, his early life was heavily influenced by the political legacy of his father, Shibu Soren, a prominent figure in Jharkhand politics. Hemant initially wasn’t seen as his father’s heir. That changed after the untimely death of his elder brother, Durga, in 2009, which led Hemant to take the political reins of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).
He entered politics in 2009 as a Rajya Sabha member but resigned in 2010 to become Deputy Chief Minister in an alliance with the BJP. However, when the coalition collapsed in 2012, Soren’s political fortunes faced a setback with the imposition of President’s Rule in the state.
Despite this, his resolve remained unshaken. In 2013, at the age of 38, Soren became the youngest-ever Chief Minister of Jharkhand, with the backing of Congress and the RJD. His first tenure was short-lived, as the BJP came to power in 2014, and Soren found himself leading the opposition.
A key turning point in his career came in 2016 when the BJP-led government sought to amend laws protecting tribal land rights. Soren led massive protests against the changes, aligning himself with the tribal communities and making tribal rights a key part of his political identity. His leadership during this period helped him regain the Chief Minister’s post in 2019 after his party, JMM, secured its best-ever result in the state elections.
However, his time in power has not been free of controversy. The BJP-led central government has been a constant adversary, and Soren has not hesitated to call out what he sees as exploitation of Jharkhand’s resources. He has repeatedly accused the Centre of undercompensating the state for its coal resources, raising the issue of Rs 1.36 lakh crore in unpaid dues with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The Centre has squeezed the state like a lemon for over two decades,” Soren remarked in a recent interview, accusing the government of enriching itself at the expense of Jharkhand’s poor. Despite facing political opposition, legal issues, and internal party struggles, Soren has managed to retain his hold on power.
Soren’s leadership has been marked by initiatives aimed at empowering tribal communities. Under his tenure, the state launched the ‘Apke Adhikar, Apki Sarkar, Apke Dwar’ scheme, which aimed to deliver government services directly to people. Additionally, his administration expanded pension schemes and introduced financial aid programs for women. In 2023, Soren also announced farmer loan waivers to benefit over 1.75 lakh farmers.
Soren has also faced internal party challenges. In 2022, he narrowly avoided disqualification from the state assembly due to allegations surrounding a mining lease. Yet, his leadership has remained steady, navigating these hurdles with a focus on the welfare of Jharkhand’s people.
Alongside his political duties, Soren and his wife Kalpana addressed around 200 election rallies over the past two months, solidifying his strong base ahead of the upcoming elections. His efforts continue to resonate deeply with the tribal communities that form the backbone of his support.
Despite the ups and downs, Soren’s unwavering stance on tribal rights and social welfare has earned him loyal supporters and vocal critics alike. Whether his tenure continues or not, Hemant Soren’s career is a testament to his relentless fight for the dignity and rights of Jharkhand’s tribal population.