Hemant Soren, recently released from prison after being arrested in an alleged land scam case, is poised to return as Jharkhand’s Chief Minister. This decision follows a consensus reached by the INDIA alliance MLAs and leaders, according to sources from India Today. Hemant Soren had been incarcerated in the Birsa Munda Central Jail for five months before securing bail from the Jharkhand High Court on June 28 in connection with a money laundering case.

Meeting at CM’s Residence in Ranchi

A significant meeting took place at the Chief Minister’s residence in Ranchi, where the INDIA bloc discussed the leadership change. Champai Soren is expected to resign from his position as Chief Minister of Jharkhand by late evening, around 8 p.m., as per the sources.

Hemant Soren’s Return

This will mark the third time that Hemant Soren will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. He will become the 13th Chief Minister of the state, which was carved out of Bihar in 2000. Talks are also underway about assigning Champai Soren new roles as the chairman of the UPA coordination committee and working president of JMM.

Key Attendees at the Meeting

The meeting saw the presence of prominent leaders, including Congress’s Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir, state president Rajesh Thakur, Hemant Soren’s brother Basant, and his wife Kalpana. Their attendance underscored the importance of this leadership transition within the INDIA alliance.

BJP’s Reaction

Setting the narrative for the BJP’s response, MP Nishikant Dubey stated in a post on X that the “Champai Soren era is over in Jharkhand.” Dubey took a critical stance against the JMM, suggesting that the party’s family-oriented structure leaves little room for those outside the family. He expressed a desire for the Chief Minister to draw inspiration from Bhagwan Birsa Munda and take a stand against the allegedly corrupt Hemant Soren.

Champai Soren’s Legacy

Champai Soren, a 67-year-old veteran JMM leader, has been a stalwart in the party, standing by its founder Shibu Soren, who is also Hemant Soren’s father, for decades. His expected resignation and potential new roles signify a pivotal shift in Jharkhand’s political landscape.

As Hemant Soren prepares to take on the Chief Ministerial role once again, Jharkhand braces for a new chapter under his leadership. The developments mark a significant moment in the state’s political narrative, reflecting the dynamic nature of its governance and the ongoing influence of the Soren family in Jharkhand’s political arena.