Hemant Soren stakes claim to national tribal space

Last week, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren was in Delhi with his wife and MLA Kalpana Soren, triggering speculation that the JMM might break from the INDIA bloc and move towards the NDA. Soren stayed silent, but the party’s social media handles asserted that “Jharkhand will never bow down.”

JMM leaders told ET that the state is facing friction with the Centre over funds, but insisted this will not lead to an alignment with the BJP, as neither side has meaningful gains from such a shift.

After returning from Delhi, Soren attended the winter session of the assembly and on Friday met tribal leaders and representatives from several states at his Ranchi residence.
He called for unity among tribal communities across India and argued that his elevation as chief minister had prompted other states such as Odisha and Chhattisgarh to elect tribal leaders. With no clear national tribal figure at present, Soren and others are seeking to fill that space.

The JMM’s recent victory in the Ghatsila bypoll-defeating both the BJP and Jairam Mahto’s JLKM-is being interpreted by the ruling party as a renewed mandate a year into its second term.