The 2024 Assembly elections hold special significance for Jharkhand as the political legacies of all seven leaders who have served as the State's Chief Minister are on the line. With vote counting set for November 23, these prominent figures await the results with bated breath.
Over its 24-year history since gaining statehood, Jharkhand has witnessed seven Chief Ministers. In this election, the political reputations of all of them are being tested.
Current Chief Minister Hemant Soren and former Chief Ministers Champai Soren and Babulal Marandi are among the candidates. Additionally, relatives of former Chief Ministers Shibu Soren, Arjun Munda, Raghubar Das, and Madhu Koda are competing in this high-stakes contest.
Champai Soren, who became Jharkhand's seventh Chief Minister in February 2024, is contesting from his stronghold, Saraikela, as a BJP candidate. Notably, in 2019, he defeated Ganesh Mahali while representing the JMM. This year, both leaders have switched parties and are squaring off again. Adding to the stakes, Champai’s son Babulal Soren is running from Ghatsila on a BJP ticket, making this election crucial for the family’s political future.
Babulal Marandi, Jharkhand's first Chief Minister and current BJP state president, is contesting from Dhanwar. In 2019, he won the seat as a JVM candidate. This time, he faces stiff competition from JMM and CPI(ML) rivals.
Although JMM patriarch Shibu Soren has stepped back from active politics, his influence remains central to the party. This year, his son Hemant Soren (Barhet), daughter-in-law Kalpana Soren (Gandey), and younger son Basant Soren (Dumka) are in the fray. Meanwhile, Shibu Soren’s elder daughter-in-law, Sita Soren, who defected to the BJP before the Lok Sabha polls, is contesting from Jamtara on a BJP ticket, making this election a critical challenge for the Soren family.
Former Chief Minister Arjun Munda is not running this time, but his wife, Meera Munda, is contesting on a BJP ticket from Potka. This election will test Arjun Munda’s influence in the region.
Purnima Sahu Das, daughter-in-law of Jharkhand's first full-time Chief Minister Raghubar Das, is running on a BJP ticket from Jamshedpur East. In 2019, Raghubar Das lost to his former cabinet colleague Saryu Roy. Purnima now faces Congress veteran Dr. Ajoy Kumar in what promises to be a tough fight.
Geeta Koda, wife of Jharkhand’s fifth Chief Minister Madhu Koda, is contesting on a BJP ticket from Jagannathpur. Her main opponent is JMM’s incumbent MLA, Sonaram Sinku. After her defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, this Assembly election is a "do-or-die" moment for both Geeta and Madhu Koda.
The stakes are high as Jharkhand’s political heavyweights and their families vie to shape the State’s future.
