Soren to take oath as Jharkhand Chief Minister on November 26: report

Ranchi: Hemant Soren’s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance bagged 56 seats to Jharkhand’s 81-member assembly, defeating the BJP’s fierce challenge thus setting the stage for Soren’s return as Chief Minister taking oath on November 26, NDTV reported.

It is reported that Soren will meet Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar today in order to form the government.

The 49-year-old leader, who faced legal battle and arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), emerged victorious in the Barhait constituency where he took on BJP's Gamliyel Hembrom winning by a margin of 39,791 votes.

Released on bail earlier this year, Soren plunged back into politics with a vengeance strengthening his party.

His wife, Kalpana Soren won the constituency Gandey with a margin of 17,142 votes.

Expressing gratitude to the people following the results, Soren termed the alliance’s victory a ‘passing of the exam of democracy.’

It is reported that JMM’s victory indicates his successful leadership, despite the BJP’s efforts to defeat the incumbent government.

The BJP unleashed a high octane campaign for the polls in the state featuring top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The saffron party targeted the Soren administration’s alleged corruption alongside accusing the government of fostering ‘infiltration’ from Bangladesh.

Despite its extensive campaign, the BJP led NDA failed to replicate its resounding victory in Maharashtra.

Of the 69 seats the saffron party contested, it won only 21; however it performed better in terms of vote share at 33.18 per cent, while JMM managed 23.44 per cent nonetheless securing majority to form the government.

The JMM’s victory, according to the report, stems from its focus on welfare schemes targeting the state’s rural population.