Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], April 16 (HBTV): Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Tuesday elected Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren as the new president of the party.

Shibu Soren, who previously served as the party president, was named the Founder Patron during the 13th Mahaadhiveshan of the JMM held in Ranchi. Until now, Hemant Soren held the position of executive president.

JMM is a regional political party and currently leads the ruling coalition in Jharkhand. It is a constituent of the Congress-led INDIA alliance at the Centre and heads the Mahagathbandhan in Jharkhand.

In the last Jharkhand Assembly elections, JMM secured 34 seats, while its allies—the Congress, RJD, and CPI-ML—collectively won 22 seats. Among them, the Congress won 16, RJD secured four, and CPI-ML won two seats. The BJP won 21 seats, while its allies—the AJSU, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and JD-U—won one seat each.

The party has faced a turbulent period following Hemant Soren’s arrest in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. After his arrest, he resigned as Chief Minister on January 31, and Champai Soren was appointed in his place.

Hemant Soren was granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court and released from Birsa Munda Jail on June 28, 2024, after spending nearly five months in custody. He was sworn in as Chief Minister for the third time on July 8, 2024.

Following this political shift, Champai Soren resigned from the JMM and joined the BJP just before the start of the elections.

Soren’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in January had led to significant political developments in the state, but with his reinstatement and recent elevation to party president, JMM aims to consolidate its leadership and internal organisation. 

(ANI)