Jamshedpur, August 20: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, accompanied by wife Kalpana Soren, on Wednesday paid a visit to the family of late Education Minister Ramdas Soren, who passed away in New Delhi on Aug. 15.
Shortly after landing at the Sonari Airport, where he was welcomed by the district administration, the CM directly rushed to the residence of the late Minister in Ghorabanda area of the city. Hemant Soren paid floral tributes to the late minister where he was accompanied by several senior JMM leaders of the state.
After paying tribute, Hemant Soren, while talking to reporters, termed the demise of Ramdas Soren as a significant loss on Jharkhand’s political landscape. “Through his relentless struggle, he had earned a prominent position in the politics of Kolhan. He played a crucial role, alongside Dishom Guru Shibu Soren, in the movement for the creation of a separate Jharkhand state,” the CM stated.
“Known for his simplicity and humility, Ramdas Soren ji always stood with the common people in their times of distress. Though he is no longer with us, his personality will continue to inspire and energise the political sphere,” he added.
Following the demise of the state Education Minister, who had firmly held the tribally reserved seat for more than ten years, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) will be now considering its options for the Ghatsila Assembly by-election.
Political circles are speculating that the Chief Minister is here to meet the family of the late Minister in this regard.
However, JMM spokesperson Kunal Sarangi refuted such claims and termed it is a moment of grief. “The family has lost its guardian. At such a time, some people are talking about politics, which is not appropriate,” the JMM spokesperson said.
“In such an atmosphere, raising question of who will contest the Ghatsila Assembly by-poll is irrelevant,” he added.
Earlier, party insiders had indicated that Somesh Chandra, the late Minister’s eldest son, is the frontrunner to contest the seat. Somesh has long assisted his father in constituency work and has been active in local politics. Reports indicate that Hemant Soren has been in close touch with Somesh and his family since the minister’s passing.
