Heamnt Loving son of Guruji

Hemant first choice of Soren for Dumka LS election

Vijay Deo Jha/ Rajiv Ranchi, Sunday, September 28, 2008

After successfully manoeuvring the political scenario of Jharkhand in its favour, the JMM has started exercising for the next parliamentary elections in the State, scheduled to be held the next year. JMM chief Shibu Soren, is serious about projecting his younger son Hemant Soren as his political successor. Soren could field Hemant in the next Parliamentary elections from Dumka parliamentary constituency. Soren who represents Dumka, a strong JMM bastion, hopes to retain the seat by fielding his young aspiring son.

The speculation gains ground the way Hemant has been emerging as a core constituent of the political convoy of Soren who is stated to have a major say in the political decisions and strategy taken by the party. The Chief Minister, who is currently on a two-day official visit to Dumka starting from Saturday, is accompanied with Deputy Chief Minister Sudhir Mahto, besides Hemant.

The sources close to the party chief confided that Hemant was the first choice of Soren and there was a general agreement among the top ranking party leaders to field Hemant from Dumka. Sources said that Soren was likely to count more upon Hemant rather than his elder son Durga Soren and wife Rupi Soren.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior party leader said that Hemant who played an active role _ a political manager during the one month-long political crisis, has gained credence _ fit to be the political heir_ after of Soren who had the potential to retain Dumka seat after the latter would shift to State politics. Soren is likely to contest the by-elections of the State Assembly either from Tamar or Tundi. Currently, Mathura Prasad Mahto represents Tundi in the State Assembly. Sukhram Oraon, MLA from Chakradharpur has also offered his seat for the party chief.In the past, Soren failed to accrue political acceptability for his family members whenever he tried to field them from Dumka. The electorate cast a damper when Soren fielded Rupi Soren in Dumka parliamentary election in 1999. The then BJP leader, Babulal Marandi, defeated her.

Hoping to translate his mass popularity into votes, Soren planned an entry for Hemant in the active politics by fielding him in the Assembly elections in 2005 from Dumka. Soren had to pay a heavy political price for his decision. He had to face rebellion by Stephen Marandi besides the defeat of Hemant in the election.