Ranchi, August 20: The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is weighing its options for the Ghatsila Assembly by-election following the death of state Education Minister Ramdas Soren, who had held the tribal-reserved seat firmly for more than a decade.
Soren died in New Delhi on Aug. 15. A three-time legislator, he first entered politics as a gram pradhan of Ghorabanda panchayat before rising to become a cabinet minister in Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s government. In 2024, he retained Ghatsila for a third consecutive term, defeating Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Babulal Soren, son of former CM Champai Soren, by more than 22,000 votes.
Party insiders say Somesh Chandra, Soren’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 Chief Minister Hemant Soren has been in close touch with Somesh and his family since the minister’s passing.
Still, senior JMM leaders who worked alongside Ramdas Soren in Ghatsila also remain in contention, and party officials say no decision will be rushed. The final call will rest with the chief minister.
The bypoll, which must be held within six months, is seen as crucial for the JMM to consolidate tribal support in East Singhbhum district, a party stronghold that opposition groups are keen to challenge.
