Hemant Soren Sworn In as Jharkhand's Chief Minister for Fourth Time, Becomes Record Holder in Party History

Ranchi: Hemant Soren, 49, has achieved another milestone in his illustrious political career by being sworn in as the chief minister of Jharkhand for the fourth time on Thursday. This record-breaking move marks a significant milestone in Soren's journey towards shaping the state's politics.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader, who is also the son of founder Shibu Soren, has demonstrated an enduring ability to adapt and grow in the complex landscape of Indian politics. Born on August 10, 1975, in Nemra village under Gola block of the then Hazaribagh district, Hemant's early education began at Central School in Bokaro and continued at MG High School in Patna.

Soren's entry into politics began in 2003 as President of the Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha, the student wing of the JMM. He went on to contest the Dumka Assembly seat in 2005 but lost to Stephen Marandi. However, his life took a turn after the sudden death of his elder brother Durga Soren, who was considered the presumptive successor to Shibu Soren as leader of the JMM.

Hemant stepped up to support his family and won the Dumka Assembly seat in 2009, resigning from the Rajya Sabha to focus on state politics. The party's senior leaders initially opposed his succession bid but ultimately backed him. Since then, Soren has formed alliances with various parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2010 and later with the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

In 2013, he won the assembly elections for the first time as Jharkhand's Chief Minister. Although his tenure was short-lived at 17 months, Soren continued to strategize his next move from the opposition. His determination paid off in the 2019 polls when his alliance secured a majority of seats, leading to his second consecutive term.

However, his journey was not without challenges. In January 2024, Hemant was lodged in jail due to serious allegations including money laundering and land scams. Nevertheless, his resilience only strengthened as an elected leader. His wife, Kalpana Soren, also became a prominent force in politics, supporting her husband's endeavors.

Soren now hopes to leave a lasting impact on Jharkhand politics with the start of his fourth term as Chief Minister. With Soren at the helm, it is anticipated that his legacy will continue to shape Jharkhand's destiny.