Hemant Appointed JMM Prez, Shibu Soren 'Founder Patron'

Guruji Announced Appointment of Hemant Ji as New National President of JMM, Who Was Also Authorized to Form His New Team of Office Bearers, Manoj Pandey, JMM Spokesperson

- Vishal Kant

RANCHI: In a major generational change in the regional party, chief minister Hemant Soren was on Tuesday appointed national president of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), even as the outgoing chief and his father Shibu Soren was named the founder patron of the JMM — one of the most important regional parties in eastern India drawing its strength largely among the politically dominant scheduled tribes community, who form around 26 per cent of the 3.26 crore population of the state.

The name of Hemant Soren as the next boss was announced by the party patriarch and former chief minister Shibu Soren, who had been holding the top post since 1987, at the second day of the two-day national convention in Ranchi on Tuesday. The JMM was formed in 1972 with the sole aim of creation of separate Jharkhand state.

"The proposal of Guruji (Shibu Soren) being made the party's founder patron was mooted by senior party leader and Dumka MP Nalin Soren, which was seconded by senior legislator Stephen Marandi. Then Guruji announced appointment of Hemant ji as new national president of the party, who was also authorised to form his new team of office bearers," said JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey.