The 2024 Assembly polls are unique for Jharkhand, as the reputation of all seven political figures who have remained Chief Minister of the State is at stake. As counting of votes is scheduled for November 23, the stalwarts have kept their fingers crossed.
In the span of 24 years since Jharkhand was formed as a separate state, it has seen seven chief ministers. And in the 2024 polls, the credibility of all of them is at stake.
While incumbent Chief Minister Hemant Soren and former Chief Ministers Champai Soren and Babulal Marandi are contesting the elections, kin of former CMs like Shibu Soren, Arjun Munda, Raghubar Das, and Madhu Koda are also in the fray.
Champai Soren, who became the seventh Chief Minister of Jharkhand in February 2024, is contesting this time from his traditional seat, Saraikela, on a BJP ticket. In 2019, he defeated Ganesh Mahali as the JMM candidate.
However, both the leaders changed sides and are face to face. Champai's son, Babulal Soren, is also in the fray from Ghatsila on a BJP ticket. This election can prove to be very important for his political future.
Jharkhand's first Chief Minister and currently State BJP state president Babulal Marandi is contesting from the Dhanwar seat. In 2019, he won as a JVM candidate. This time, two strong candidates from JMM and CPI(ML) are in the fray against him.
Though JMM chief Shibu Soren is away from active politics, his name still remains the strength of the party. This time his son Hemant Soren (Barhet), daughter-in-law Kalpana Soren (Gandey), and younger son Basant Soren (Dumka) are in the fray.
Shibu Soren’s elder daughter-in-law, Sita Soren, who had left JMM and joined the BJP before the Lok Sabha polls, is contesting from Jamtara on a BJP ticket. This election is a big challenge for Shibu Soren's family as well.
Former Chief Minister Arjun Munda is not contesting the election, but his wife Meera Munda is in the fray on a BJP ticket from the Potka seat. This election is also a test of Arjun Munda's political strength.
Purnima Sahu Das, daughter-in-law of Jharkhand's first full-time Chief Minister Raghubar Das, is contesting on a BJP ticket from Jamshedpur East seat. In 2019, Raghubar Das was defeated by his cabinet colleague Saryu Roy. This time Purnima is facing a veteran leader, Dr. Ajoy Kumar of Congress.
Geeta Koda, wife of Jharkhand's fifth Chief Minister, Madhu Koda, is contesting on a BJP ticket from Jagannathpur seat. Here she is facing JMM's sitting MLA, Sonaram Sinku. After her defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, this election is like "do or die" for Geeta Koda and Madhu Koda.
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