Ranchi: Shibu Soren, a towering figure in Jharkhand politics, is not in the electoral fray this poll season — the first time in decades. The 80-year-old’s decision to sit out the elections stems from his advanced age and health issues, which prevent him from participating in rallies, election meetings, and tours.
President of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and a former three-time chief minister, Soren currently serves as Rajya Sabha MP.
The Dumka seat, reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and represented by Shibu Soren eight times, will be contested by Nalin Soren this time.
“Dumka has been Guruji’s seat. This time I have been fielded in the prestigious Dumka battle. This is by guruji’s blessings, and is a big responsibility. I have to return guru dakshina to Guruji by winning this seat.”
Speaking of his meeting with Shibu Soren, 76-year-old Nalin said, “I have always had Guruji’s affection and trust, but that moment will always remain in my memory, when he gave me the symbol and said, ‘fight the elections boldly and wisely’. It really boosted my confidence.”
Nalin Soren, a seven-term MLA from the Shikaripara assembly segment and a close confidant of Shibu Soren, filed his nomination on 10 May for the Dumka seat. Voting will take place during the seventh phase on 1 June. Nalin will face Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Sita Soren, Shibu Soren’s elder daughter-in-law and a three-term MLA from Jama. Sita had switched from the JMM to the BJP in March.
Speaking to ThePrint about the absence of Shibu Soren from this year’s polls, JMM’s Dumka district convener, Shiv Kumar Baskey, said: “We do miss Guruji, but he is our strength. We go out to the field to campaign with his name and picture and return at night with his name. The forests, mountains, villages, all await his arrival. There is extreme heat in the tribal and hilly areas, so it is better that he’s taking care of his health.”
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The importance of Santhal Pargana
After forming the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in 1972, Shibu Soren made Dumka his base of operations. He has won this seat eight times, which has significantly contributed to the JMM’s strong presence in Santhal Pargana for decades. In the 2019 elections, however, BJP’s Sunil Soren had defeated Shibu Soren in a closely contested race by 47,590 votes.
Dumka, the sub-capital of Jharkhand, serves as the headquarters of the Santhal Pargana Commissionerate.
The title ‘Dishom Guru’, a Santali term meaning ‘guru of the country’, is attributed to Shibu Soren’s leadership and his pivotal role in the movement against the Mahajani system of money lenders and the broader Jharkhand movement.
Nalin Soren is not the only one seeking Guruji’s blessings. Every candidate, leader, and strategist of the JMM, along with INDIA bloc leaders, look for his support before entering the election fray.
Shibu Soren has participated in JMM’s public meetings only twice in the past five months. On 21 April, he attended an INDIA Bloc rally in Ranchi organised by JMM. Later, on 29 April, he accompanied his daughter-in-law, Kalpana Soren, when she filed her nomination for the Gandey assembly by-election. He was also present at the rally organised after her nomination. His presence at these events was noted and discussed in political circles. It was at Kalpana Soren’s request that Shibu Soren attended both programmes to give his blessings.
Vinod Pandey, general secretary, JMM central committee, who has worked with Shibu Soren for the past 30 years and is considered to be close to him, said, “Guruji is not contesting the elections due to health issues but he is informed about all the decisions taken in the party regarding organisational activities and elections, and his consent is taken in important matters. Guruji also receives regular information about the election activities and the cadres.”
On 17 May, Shibu Soren had taken action against the rebellion of JMM MLA Lobin Hembrom from Barhet, who is contesting as an Independent against the party candidate Vijay Kumar Hansdak for the Rajmahal seat. Hembrom was expelled from the party for six years. Additionally, Sita Soren has also been expelled from the party.
There are three Lok Sabha seats in Santhal Pargana — Dumka and Rajmahal, both reserved for tribals, and Godda, which is unreserved. In the 2019 elections, JMM won the Rajmahal seat, while BJP secured the Dumka and Godda seats.
Santhal Pargana also has 18 assembly seats, and it is believed that gaining control of this region is crucial for political power in Jharkhand. Before Sita Soren’s exit, JMM and Congress held 14 of these seats, while BJP held four. Former CM Hemant Soren represents Barhet in Santhal Pargana, and his younger brother, Basant Soren, is the MLA from Dumka. Basant Soren is currently leading the election campaign in Dumka.
Cadres close to Shibu Soren say that Guruji has been deeply affected by son Hemant’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and constantly worries about him. With permission from the Jharkhand High Court, Hemant Soren attended the last rites of his late uncle, Raja Ram Soren, in Nemra (Ramgarh district) on 6 May, where Shibu Soren became very emotional upon seeing Hemant.
Shibu Soren’s ups and downs
The hero of the Mahajani movement, Shibu Soren has faced many ups and downs in his political and public life.
Those who knew Shibu Soren recall that he used to walk all day and spend nights in forests and mountains. He could also travel 600 km in an old Ambassador car or jeep without a break. Despite witnessing splits in JMM, he has managed to bring the party back to power in subsequent elections.
In 2004, Shibu Soren was appointed coal minister in the UPA government, but he had to resign after a warrant was issued for his arrest in the Chirudih murder case in Jharkhand. He has since been acquitted. In the 2005 Jharkhand assembly elections, no party had a majority, leading to Soren being sworn in as CM. However, he had to resign within 10 days due to the lack of a majority.
In 2008, JMM withdrew support from the Koda government and claimed to form the government independently. Shibu Soren took oath as Chief Minister on 27 August, 2008, but had to resign on 12 January, 2009. He was not an MLA at the time and needed to become one within six months. He contested the by-elections for the Tamar seat but was defeated by Gopal Krishna Patar of the Jharkhand Party.
For the third time in 2009, Shibu Soren became CM with BJP’s support, but again had to leave the post within a few months due to political turmoil.
Anuj Kumar Sinha, author of the book Dishom Guru Shibu Soren and a political analyst said, “In the absence of Hemant Soren, (his wife) Kalpana is rising as a seasoned politician and handling elections campaign, but Guruji is different. The workers and supporters will definitely miss him as he is not able to contest the elections and campaign. His presence is also important from the point of view of votes.”
In tribal areas, people have been seen walking 20-30 km to reach meetings, eager to get a glimpse of Shibu Soren, to touch him, Sinha told ThePrint.
The love Shibu Soren among the tribas runs deep.
Recalling an election programme held in the 1990s, Vinod Pandey said, “We had gone to a remote village in Dumka to address an election meeting. During this time, one by one, many women would come in front of guruji, give him something and leave. Guruji took their offering and kept putting them away in the pocket of his kurta. I later asked him, ‘Baba, what were those women giving you?’. He took out money from his pocket — two five-rupee notes and some coins. He said that the tribal women had given him money thinking that he had come so far, how will he return home.”
Regarding Shibu and Hemant Soren’s absence in the election campaign, Kalpana said to ThePrint, “It cannot be expressed in words. But there is the blessing of Dishom Guruji and the encouragement of Hemantji, due to which every JMM worker is trying to give their best in the elections.”
Kalpana never forgets to mention the names of her husband Hemant and father-in-law Shibu Soren during election rallies and meetings.
“Till now, I had only heard that JMM has a history of fighting in difficult times. Now, I am seeing it with my own eyes,” she added.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)
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