Ranchi: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha executive president Hemant Soren is set to be sworn in as Jharkhand's Chief Minister on November 28 after a resounding victory in the state Assembly elections. His party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), led a successful alliance that secured 56 seats in the 81-member assembly, leaving the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA with just 24 seats.  

"On 28 November the oath ceremony of the new government will take place," Hemant Soren told reporters on Sunday.

A triumph against challenges  

Despite a vigorous campaign by the BJP, the JMM-led alliance emerged victorious, reaffirming Hemant Soren’s leadership. Soren, who contested from the Barhait constituency, defeated BJP’s Gamliyel Hembrom by an impressive margin of 39,791 votes.  

Hemant Soren also tendered his resignation as Jharkhand Chief Minister to the Governor Santosh Gangwar and staked a claim to form Government, at the Raj Bhawan.

This victory comes after a tumultuous year for Soren, who faced legal challenges, including an Enforcement Directorate (ED) case and arrest. Released on bail earlier this year, he returned to politics with renewed determination.  

Kalpana Soren, his wife, played a vital role in maintaining party stability during his absence. Her efforts were recognized as she won from the Gandey constituency with a margin of 17,142 votes.  

People-centric campaigns  

The JMM's campaign centered on welfare policies aimed at alleviating rural economic hardships. A key initiative, the Maiyan Samman Yojna, offering Rs 1,000 per month to women aged 18-50, struck a chord with voters. The party has pledged to increase this amount to Rs 2,500 following the elections, further strengthening its support among the rural population.  

The JMM won 34 seats, while its allies secured 22 seats. Among the allies, the Congress won 16 seats, the RJD won four, and the CPI-ML won two seats.

The BJP-led NDA won only 24 seats in Jharkhand. The BJP secured 21 seats, while its allies the AJSU party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and JD-U -- won one seat each.

Additionally, Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha, a smaller party contesting state assembly elections, won a seat with its chief, Jairam Kumar Mahato, emerging victorious in the Dumri constituency.

In his post-election statement, Hemant Soren expressed deep gratitude to the people of Jharkhand. He described the INDIA bloc's performance as a testament to the strength of democracy.

The assembly polls were conducted in two phases--on November 13 and November 20.

(Agency inputs)