Key Points:
- Hemant Soren elected as the new national president of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) at the party’s 13th National Convention in Ranchi.
- Shibu Soren, after 38 years as party chief, becomes JMM’s “founding patron.”
- The leadership transition was unanimously supported and marks a generational shift in the party.
- Hemant Soren pledges to strengthen the party and uphold its core values.
- JMM unveils a new 284-member Central Committee and outlines its opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
Ranchi: mIn a historic and emotional moment for Jharkhand politics, Chief Minister Hemant Soren was unanimously elected as the new national president of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) during the party’s 13th National Convention in Ranchi. The announcement, made by outgoing president and party co-founder Shibu Soren, marks the end of his remarkable 38-year tenure at the helm and the beginning of a new era under his son’s leadership.
A Generational Shift in JMM Leadership
Shibu Soren, affectionately known as ‘Guruji,’ formally passed the leadership baton to Hemant Soren, citing his own advancing age and health concerns. The party’s executive committee, after amending the constitution to dissolve the post of executive president, created the honorary position of “founding patron” for Shibu Soren a move proposed by senior leader Nalin Soren and seconded by Stephen Marandi.
Hemant Soren, who had been serving as executive president since 2015 and has led the party to significant electoral victories in both the 2019 and 2024 assembly elections, now becomes the fourth president in JMM’s history. His elevation was met with enthusiastic support from party workers and leaders, who celebrated the transition with garlands and congratulatory messages.
Hemant Soren’s Vision for JMM
Addressing the convention, Hemant Soren expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and outlined his vision for the party’s future:
“The responsibility that respected Baba Dishom Guruji (Shibu Soren) has given me, the faith that lakhs of party colleagues have shown in me, I will work hard day and night to fulfil it. This support of all of you is my strength. The party will move forward with new energy and a clear roadmap to take our ideals to greater heights.”
He emphasized the party’s commitment to protecting the rights of Jharkhand’s people, especially the marginalized, and upholding the principles of “Jal, Jungle, Jameen” (water, forest, and land) a core part of JMM’s identity.
New Central Committee and Policy Stance
The convention also saw the unveiling of a new 284-member Central Committee, including key leaders from across the state. The party reaffirmed its opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, arguing that it infringes on minority rights and the federal structure of the Constitution. JMM leaders reiterated their commitment to equality, justice, and the protection of constitutional rights for all communities.
Political Context and Recent Challenges
The leadership change comes at a pivotal time for JMM, which leads the ruling coalition in Jharkhand and is a key member of the Congress-led INDIA bloc at the national level. The party has weathered recent turbulence, including Hemant Soren’s arrest and subsequent release in connection with a land scam case, and the defection of former interim CM Champai Soren to the BJP.
Despite these challenges, Hemant Soren’s elevation is seen as a move to consolidate the party’s leadership and chart a stable course for the future.
Looking Ahead
With Hemant Soren at the helm and Shibu Soren’s legacy as a guiding force, JMM is poised to enter a new chapter, aiming to strengthen its grassroots base and expand its influence both in Jharkhand and nationally. The party’s renewed focus on social justice, constitutional rights, and inclusive development sets the stage for its next phase of growth and political engagement.
