13 CMs, 24 years: 10 points about Jharkhand’s volatile political history

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren

Jharkhand is all set to vote in the second and final phase of the Assembly polls, with polling set to take place on 38 of the total 81 seats.

The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led INDIA bloc and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are engaged in a fierce battle in the elections in the state, which has had a turbulent year.

As the state goes into polls once again, let's look back at the political history:

- Despite its rich mineral resources, Jharkhand has experienced significant political instability since its formation from Bihar in 2000. Of the seven chief ministers who have led the state, only Raghubar Das completed a full five-year term without interruption. There have also been three different instances of President’s Rule in the state.

- In Jharkhand's five Assembly elections to date, no single party has secured an outright majority. The political landscape has been primarily dominated by two parties - the BJP and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).

- Jharkhand became India's 28th state on November 15, 2000, through the Bihar Reorganisation Act. The date coincides with the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda.

- Though Karia Munda was BJP's most prominent tribal leader when Jharkhand was formed, Babulal Marandi, a tribal leader with RSS roots, was chosen as the state's first chief minister.

- In 14 years, JMM’s Shibu Soren and BJP’s Arjun Munda took oath as chief minister three times, while Babulal Marandi, Madhu Koda and Hemant Soren had single appearances. Soren’s three appearances included a 10-day stint when his government could not prove a majority in the Jharkhand Assembly.

- Jharkhand experienced its first period of political stability under BJP's Raghubar Das, who became the state's first chief minister to complete a full five-year term after taking office in 2014.

- In the 2019 Assembly polls, Hemant Soren led the JMM to power with support from Congress and three minor allies, marking a shift in Jharkhand's political landscape.

- Hemant Soren became chief minister again but had to resign as he was arrested in an alleged land scam case earlier this year. Senior JMM leader Champai Soren was appointed to the role and remained the chief minister for about 153 days.

- Soren took the chair after returning from the jail and a displeased Champai Soren later joined the BJP just days later. Champai alleged he was being humiliated by the JMM.

- Champai Soren is the BJP candidate from Saraikella seat. His main rival for the seat is JMM’s Ganesh Mahali.