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Less than three months after her husband Hemant Soren, former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged land scam case, Kalpana Soren has become a prominent face in national politics.

 

Addressing huge rallies of the opposition parties on the national platforms, she is getting accolades from everyone. In Jharkhand, she is seen as the next Chief Minister. An army officer’s daughter, an engineering graduate, an MBA, a housewife, a mother of two children and an accidental politician, Kalpana Soren Murmu is being projected today as one of the most promising women politicians in the nation.

 

In a freewheeling interview with the News Arena India, Kalpna Soren spoke at length about her political debut, challenges before her as a politician, national and State issues and what change the General elections of 2024 can bring about in the nation. 

How did you come into politics? Was it planned or were you compelled to join due to prevailing situations?

My life has turned topsy turvy since 31st January (When Hemant Soren was arrested) this year. Everything happened so suddenly that I was not at all prepared for this. After going through certain highs and lows in the party and the family, now I have a clear vision to fight for Jharkhand and the people of the nation, who are deprived of their rights. 

We are now in election mode and prepared to contest every Lok Sabha seat in the State. We are fighting for the existence and identity of every ‘Jharkhandi’. 

Did you ever think about entering politics? Was there any planning beforehand when you knew that the ED case was already going on?

There was no planning. When the case was going on, I supported Hemant ji in the legal battle. But when all these developments happened suddenly, I saw that my in-laws were not in good health, my brother-in-law had a new responsibility in the State Cabinet and the party workers started coming to me asking me to join them and support them. They said they were missing Hemant Ji and wanted me to fill the void and save Jharkhand. 

Which powers, according to you, are behind Hemant’s arrest?

 

Everyone knows that the case against Hemant ji is itself not a case, as the nature of the land, for which he has been arrested, is such that it cannot be sold to anyone. Officials should have checked whether the land papers had his name anywhere before arresting him.

Not a single paper is there in the name of Hemant Soren. Most interestingly, even the landowners have been accused in the case. So, you can understand who is behind the arrest of Hemant ji. 

What is your take on corruption in the State? Do you think corruption is a big challenge in Jharkhand’s development?

 

Which part of the world is free of corruption? Corruption has different forms… the Centre has kept Jharkhand devoid of its dues amounting to over Rs 1,36,000 Crore royalty which is also corruption, our demands for a separate Sarna Religious Code is being ignored is also corruption, denying 27 per cent reservation for OBCs is also corruption.

 

They have snatched PMAY houses from 8 lakh families of Jharkhand and given them to their double-engine governments, they have cancelled our 12 lakh ration cards and they expect us to be loyal to them.

 

They are taking all our resources and giving us nothing. People of the State thus feel cheated. This is big corruption. The Jharkhand government is cracking whips against corruption, wherever it is found, but the Centre’s step-brotherly treatment is raising anger among the masses. Hemant ji raised his voice against the issue and the result is before you. 

How do you see the dispute in JMM’s first family? The decision of Sita Soren to leave JMM must be a big jolt for the party?

It was shocking for all of us. My elder sister-in-law leaving the party and joining the BJP shocked everyone as we came to know this through the media only. I was initially shattered by the action taken against Hemant ji and it took us some time to come out of that.

 

After talking to senior leaders of the party we understood that it was her personal decision and we should respect her decision. I admire and respect her as a younger sister-in-law. I just want to convey my best wishes to her. 

Do you see yourself as the next Chief Minister of Jharkhand?

No, right now I am just a new Sipahi of JMM. I am still learning the thoughts and aspirations of my father-in-law Shibu Soren, my husband Hemant ji and my party workers. When the party workers look at me, they feel so energised and tell me about their journey with Guruji and I feel proud for them and my family.

 

Someone called me a warrior and I love that word as I am a struggler and I feel like I am ready to take up any new challenge in my life. I would love to do that. I want my husband to be back. I am fighting in his absence. When he is back, he will take the reins of the party and then also I will be in his constant support. I will continue in active politics in his shadow. 

What is the response to your induction and new role in the party among the leaders and members?

There is a welcome gesture from one and all. Starting from the Nyay Yatra of Rahul Gandhi to the Ulgulan Nyay Rally in Jharkhand right from a small party worker to senior members have blessed me. Every JMM worker considers me as a shadow of Hemant Ji. They want me to continue the fight started for the people of Jharkhand and feel overwhelmed with their blessings and love.

How do you plan to fight against the poll strategy of the mighty BJP?

Everyone now has understood the jumlebazi of the BJP Government. Right from 2014 there were so many lies spread by the BJP.

They promised employment, 15 lakh in bank accounts, doubling the income of farmers. In a decade people of India have understood that the BJP is lying. People cannot live with an empty stomach, nothing has changed in the last 10 years. People in Manipur suffered but they remained silent spectators. People will never forgive the BJP for cheating and telling lies. 

Will your entry into politics empower women and encourage others to come forward?

Definitely! You see, women in politics are very few in our country. In a state like Jharkhand, the number is much less. If I can be a source of light for women to take power in their hands and become decision-makers for the country and the State, I will consider myself very fortunate.