#Stephen Marandi

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CM Hemant Soren Criticizes Opposition Leaders During Dumka Visit

Soren claims local BJP leaders are inactive, necessitating outside help. During a visit to Dumka, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren criticized opposition leaders, claiming they are inactive and necessitating the import of leaders from other states. DUMKA – Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren criticized opposition leaders during his visit to Dumka, stating that local leaders are "discharged,"…

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Paromita Das GG News Bureau New Delhi, 23rd October. In the run-up to the highly anticipated Jharkhand Assembly elections, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has officially released its first list of 35 candidates. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the party’s stalwart, will once again contest from the Barhait constituency, while the Soren family’s prominence in state politics is underscored by the candidacies of his wife, Kalpana Soren, from Gandey, and his brother, Basant Soren, from Dumka. This high-profile release signals the JMM’s intent to consolidate power and build upon its previous electoral successes, positioning the family as the backbone of its leadership strategy. Alongside the Soren family members, the list features a mix of seasoned politicians and newer faces, carefully selected to reflect the party’s wide-ranging appeal across Jharkhand’s diverse constituencies. The JMM has fielded Ravindranath Mahto from Nala, M.T. Raja from Rajmahal, Dhananjay Soren from Boriya, and Stephen Marandi from Maheshpur, all of whom bring considerable experience to the table. Additionally, candidates like Uday Shankar Singh from Sarath, Sudiway Kumar from Giridih, and Alok Soren from Shikaripara are expected to strengthen the party’s outreach in their respective regions. The ruling JMM, under Hemant Soren’s leadership, is preparing to defend its majority in the 81-member assembly, where elections will be held in two phases—on November 13 and 20, with the vote count scheduled for November 23. This election is particularly significant, as it will not only test the JMM’s popularity but will also shape Jharkhand’s political future amidst shifting alliances and emerging opposition challenges. JMM’s Strategic Candidate Selections: Family at the Core One of the most notable aspects of the JMM’s list is its reliance on the Soren family’s continued dominance in Jharkhand politics. Hemant Soren, who has served as Chief Minister since 2019, is the face of the party and is seeking re-election from Barhait, a constituency he has successfully represented in previous elections. His leadership has been central to the JMM’s success in navigating the complexities of coalition politics in the state, particularly with its alliance partners, the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Kalpana Soren, Hemant’s wife, will be contesting from Gandey, marking her formal entry into electoral politics. Her candidacy represents a clear attempt by the JMM to further consolidate the Soren family’s grip on key constituencies, while also appealing to women voters. Meanwhile, Basant Soren, the Chief Minister’s brother, will again contest from Dumka, a seat of symbolic and strategic importance for the party. His presence in the electoral fray underscores the JMM’s intent to maintain its influence in the tribal heartland of Jharkhand, where the party draws much of its support. The inclusion of family members at the forefront of the JMM’s campaign is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it reinforces the legacy of the Soren family in Jharkhand’s political landscape, evoking the legacy of Shibu Soren, the party’s founder and a towering figure in state politics. On the other hand, it exposes the JMM to criticism of dynastic politics, a charge that opposition parties are likely to leverage as they seek to weaken the ruling party’s appeal. Balancing Veteran Leaders and New Faces Beyond the Soren family, the JMM’s candidate list strikes a balance between veteran politicians and new contenders. For example, Ravindranath Mahto, the sitting speaker of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, has been fielded from Nala. His role as a senior leader within the JMM and his experience in managing legislative affairs make him a crucial player in the party’s election strategy. The inclusion of newer candidates like Alok Soren (Shikaripara) and Deepak Birua (Chaibasa) signals the JMM’s attempt to refresh its ranks and appeal to younger voters. By putting forward a mix of seasoned leaders and

emerging faces, the party aims to present itself as both stable and adaptive, capable of representing the evolving aspirations of the state’s electorate. Opposition’s Response: Congress and RJD Lineup Meanwhile, the JMM’s coalition partners, the Congress and RJD, have also revealed their initial lists of candidates. The Congress, fielding 21 candidates, is banking on experienced politicians like Irfan Ansari from Jamtara and Pradeep Yadav from Poraiyahat, while also positioning newer figures such as Deepika Pandey Singh from Mahagama. The RJD, contesting six seats as part of the coalition agreement, has named candidates including Suresh Paswan (Deoghar) and Sanjay Prasad Yadav (Godda), with hopes of securing vital constituencies that will support the broader alliance. The combined strength of the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance poses a formidable challenge to the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which will need to counter the ruling alliance’s consolidated base of tribal, rural, and minority voters. However, internal dynamics and the ability of these parties to cooperate seamlessly during the campaign will be key to their success. Challenges Ahead for the JMM and Hemant Soren Despite the strength of the JMM’s candidate list and its alliance with the Congress and RJD, the party faces several challenges as it seeks re-election. Governance issues, economic concerns, and rural distress—exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic—are likely to dominate the campaign discourse. Opposition parties, particularly the BJP, will seek to capitalize on any perceived gaps in the Soren administration’s performance, particularly in areas like employment generation, infrastructure development, and management of tribal welfare programs. The BJP, which has a significant support base in Jharkhand, will undoubtedly target the JMM’s reliance on dynastic politics, as well as the party’s performance in its five-year tenure. The Soren government’s handling of law and order issues, as well as its relationship with the central government, will also be key factors that could influence voter sentiment. Conclusion: A High-Stakes Election for JMM The release of the JMM’s candidate list marks the beginning of a high-stakes election campaign that will determine the future trajectory of Jharkhand politics. The party’s decision to rely heavily on the Soren family, combined with its strategic mix of experienced leaders and fresh faces, reflects a calculated effort to secure a majority in the upcoming assembly elections. However, the road to victory will not be easy. The JMM will need to navigate the challenges posed by its rivals, while also addressing voter concerns about governance and development. In this context, Hemant Soren’s leadership and the performance of his government will be scrutinized closely, and the party’s ability to maintain its tribal base while expanding its appeal to other sections of the electorate will be critical. Can the JMM Overcome the Dynastic Critique? While, the JMM has positioned itself as a frontrunner in the upcoming elections, the party must carefully manage the perception of dynastic politics. Hemant Soren’s leadership is widely respected, but the over-reliance on family members could alienate sections of the electorate that view this as a sign of political nepotism. To counter this, the JMM will need to focus on its achievements in governance, emphasizing economic development, tribal welfare, and regional pride. Moreover, the party’s alliance with the Congress and RJD, while formidable, must remain cohesive throughout the campaign. A united front against the BJP will be essential for the JMM to retain its hold on power in Jharkhand, a state known for its complex political landscape and shifting voter alliances. Ultimately, the JMM’s electoral fate will rest on its ability to transcend the family-centric narrative and present itself as a party of inclusive governance and progressive policies, appealing to the diverse and dynamic electorate of Jharkhand.

  The post JMM Rolls Out Soren Family Heavyweights for High-Stakes Jharkhand Polls appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] Paromita Das GG News Bureau New Delhi, 23rd October. In the run-up to the highly anticipated Jharkhand Assembly elections, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has officially released its first list of 35 candidates. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the party’s stalwart, will once again contest from the Barhait constituency, while the Soren family’s prominence in state politics is underscored by the candidacies of his wife, Kalpana Soren, from Gandey, and his brother, Basant Soren, from Dumka. This high-profile release signals the JMM’s intent to consolidate power and build upon its previous electoral successes, positioning the family as the backbone of its leadership strategy. Alongside the Soren family members, the list features a mix of seasoned politicians and newer faces, carefully selected to reflect the party’s wide-ranging appeal across Jharkhand’s diverse constituencies. The JMM has fielded Ravindranath Mahto from Nala, M.T. Raja from Rajmahal, Dhananjay Soren from Boriya, and Stephen Marandi from Maheshpur, all of whom bring considerable experience to the table. Additionally, candidates like Uday Shankar Singh from Sarath, Sudiway Kumar from Giridih, and Alok Soren from Shikaripara are expected to strengthen the party’s outreach in their respective regions. The ruling JMM, under Hemant Soren’s leadership, is preparing to defend its majority in the 81-member assembly, where elections will be held in two phases—on November 13 and 20, with the vote count scheduled for November 23. This election is particularly significant, as it will not only test the JMM’s popularity but will also shape Jharkhand’s political future amidst shifting alliances and emerging opposition challenges. JMM’s Strategic Candidate Selections: Family at the Core One of the most notable aspects of the JMM’s list is its reliance on the Soren family’s continued dominance in Jharkhand politics. Hemant Soren, who has served as Chief Minister since 2019, is the face of the party and is seeking re-election from Barhait, a constituency he has successfully represented in previous elections. His leadership has been central to the JMM’s success in navigating the complexities of coalition politics in the state, particularly with its alliance partners, the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Kalpana Soren, Hemant’s wife, will be contesting from Gandey, marking her formal entry into electoral politics. Her candidacy represents a clear attempt by the JMM to further consolidate the Soren family’s grip on key constituencies, while also appealing to women voters. Meanwhile, Basant Soren, the Chief Minister’s brother, will again contest from Dumka, a seat of symbolic and strategic importance for the party. His presence in the electoral fray underscores the JMM’s intent to maintain its influence in the tribal heartland of Jharkhand, where the party draws much of its support. The inclusion of family members at the forefront of the JMM’s campaign is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it reinforces the legacy of the Soren family in Jharkhand’s political landscape, evoking the legacy of Shibu Soren, the party’s founder and a towering figure in state politics. On the other hand, it exposes the JMM to criticism of dynastic politics, a charge that opposition parties are likely to leverage as they seek to weaken the ruling party’s appeal. Balancing Veteran Leaders and New Faces Beyond the Soren family, the JMM’s candidate list strikes a balance between veteran politicians and new contenders. For example, Ravindranath Mahto, the sitting speaker of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, has been fielded from Nala. His role as a senior leader within the JMM and his experience in managing legislative affairs make him a crucial player in the party’s election strategy. The inclusion of newer candidates like Alok Soren (Shikaripara) and Deepak Birua (Chaibasa) signals the JMM’s attempt to refresh its ranks and appeal to younger voters. By putting forward a mix of seasoned leaders and

emerging faces, the party aims to present itself as both stable and adaptive, capable of representing the evolving aspirations of the state’s electorate. Opposition’s Response: Congress and RJD Lineup Meanwhile, the JMM’s coalition partners, the Congress and RJD, have also revealed their initial lists of candidates. The Congress, fielding 21 candidates, is banking on experienced politicians like Irfan Ansari from Jamtara and Pradeep Yadav from Poraiyahat, while also positioning newer figures such as Deepika Pandey Singh from Mahagama. The RJD, contesting six seats as part of the coalition agreement, has named candidates including Suresh Paswan (Deoghar) and Sanjay Prasad Yadav (Godda), with hopes of securing vital constituencies that will support the broader alliance. The combined strength of the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance poses a formidable challenge to the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which will need to counter the ruling alliance’s consolidated base of tribal, rural, and minority voters. However, internal dynamics and the ability of these parties to cooperate seamlessly during the campaign will be key to their success. Challenges Ahead for the JMM and Hemant Soren Despite the strength of the JMM’s candidate list and its alliance with the Congress and RJD, the party faces several challenges as it seeks re-election. Governance issues, economic concerns, and rural distress—exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic—are likely to dominate the campaign discourse. Opposition parties, particularly the BJP, will seek to capitalize on any perceived gaps in the Soren administration’s performance, particularly in areas like employment generation, infrastructure development, and management of tribal welfare programs. The BJP, which has a significant support base in Jharkhand, will undoubtedly target the JMM’s reliance on dynastic politics, as well as the party’s performance in its five-year tenure. The Soren government’s handling of law and order issues, as well as its relationship with the central government, will also be key factors that could influence voter sentiment. Conclusion: A High-Stakes Election for JMM The release of the JMM’s candidate list marks the beginning of a high-stakes election campaign that will determine the future trajectory of Jharkhand politics. The party’s decision to rely heavily on the Soren family, combined with its strategic mix of experienced leaders and fresh faces, reflects a calculated effort to secure a majority in the upcoming assembly elections. However, the road to victory will not be easy. The JMM will need to navigate the challenges posed by its rivals, while also addressing voter concerns about governance and development. In this context, Hemant Soren’s leadership and the performance of his government will be scrutinized closely, and the party’s ability to maintain its tribal base while expanding its appeal to other sections of the electorate will be critical. Can the JMM Overcome the Dynastic Critique? While, the JMM has positioned itself as a frontrunner in the upcoming elections, the party must carefully manage the perception of dynastic politics. Hemant Soren’s leadership is widely respected, but the over-reliance on family members could alienate sections of the electorate that view this as a sign of political nepotism. To counter this, the JMM will need to focus on its achievements in governance, emphasizing economic development, tribal welfare, and regional pride. Moreover, the party’s alliance with the Congress and RJD, while formidable, must remain cohesive throughout the campaign. A united front against the BJP will be essential for the JMM to retain its hold on power in Jharkhand, a state known for its complex political landscape and shifting voter alliances. Ultimately, the JMM’s electoral fate will rest on its ability to transcend the family-centric narrative and present itself as a party of inclusive governance and progressive policies, appealing to the diverse and dynamic electorate of Jharkhand.

  The post JMM Rolls Out Soren Family Heavyweights for High-Stakes Jharkhand Polls appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates. [ad_2] Source link

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Jobs, farm distress in focus for Jharkhand govt - india news

The Jharkhand government will convene a three-day session of the assembly from January 6, the state cabinet decided on Sunday, shortly after Hemant Soren took office as the 11th chief minister following the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance’s election victory.Senior JMM MLA Stephen Marandi, who was named as pro-tem speaker, will conduct the first House till a regular Speaker is elected, an official statement said. Chaired by Soren and attended by three state ministers who took oath on Sunday, the state cabinet decided to clear arrears of para-teachers, contractual employees, anganwadi workers and student scholarships. The statement said directions have also been issued to fill vacancies in government departments and that fast-track courts will to be set up in every district to speed up trials of cases relating to sexual offences.Experts said several tasks lie ahead for the JMM-Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) alliance, which won 47 seats in the assembly elections, defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which secured 25 constituencies.In their election manifestos, the JMM and the Congress promised loan waivers to farmers, higher minimum support price for paddy, and unemployment allowance to youth. The parties also promised to fill all vacancies in government departments in six months. “It is still to be worked out what kind of financial burden loan waiver for farmers,” said a senior state government official requesting anonymity.A senior JMM leader, who asked not to be named, said some of the decisions would need laws to be tweaked, which will be taken up in the alliance’s common minimum programme. “Ending unemployment has been a major poll issue. Both parties have promised to fill all vacancies in the government. The Congress has promised to fill them in six months. The JMM has promised to amend the domicile and the employment policy of the state to benefit the locals. This would require legislative amendments. We are aware of the challenges and we hope to settle them at the earliest,” the JMM leader said.The winning coalition in Jharkhand will soon release a CMP to outline the priorities of its government. The main points of the CMP will be taken from the respective manifestos of the three parties, a senior Congress leader has told Hindustan Times.(With inputs from PTI) Read the full article

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New Jharkhand Cabinet Convenes 3-day Assembly Session from January 6 Senior JMM MLA Stephen Marandi, who was named as pro-tem speaker, will conduct the first House till a regular Speaker is elected. via Top Politics News- News18.com

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Controversy has erupted after senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and legislator Simon Marandi organised a “kissing competition” of tribal people. Simon Marandi on Saturday night organised a kissing competition of tribal couples at Talpahari village, situated under his assembly constituency Littipara. The kissing competition was reported on Monday in local newspapers. Three tribal couples were awarded as part of the competition. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Simon Marandi said: “The kissing competition was organised to promote love and modernity. Tribal people are hesitant. The hesitation of tribal couples will end by kissing openly in the competition.” He also said it would help in promoting understanding between couples and prevent divorces. The programme was attended by hundreds of people. JMM legislator and senior leader of the party Stephen Marandi was present at the competition. The ruling BJP has sharply reacted to the event. “What is the JMM trying to prove by organising such a competition. There are many ways that could be adopted to end the hesitation of the tribal people. Simon Marandi has tried to make a mockery of the tribal culture and tradition,” Ramesh Pushkar, a senior BJP leader, told IANS. He said: “One JMM legislator has asked for opening a bar in the Assembly and another legislator is organising a kissing competition.” SIFY : 12th. Dec,17

KISSING COMPETITION IN JHARKHAND ORGANISED FOR TRIBALS TRIGGERED CONTROVERSY : Controversy has erupted after senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and legislator Simon Marandi organised a "kissing competition" of tribal people.

[wionews]

Jharkhand: BJP demands MLAs to step down for organising kissing competition

A kissing competition organised in the Dumaria village of Jharkhand has outraged many.

The BJP seems to have clammed down the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leaders involved in organising the event, demanding an apology and their immediate suspension barring them from attending the winter session of the legislative assembly.

The demand was made by Jharkhand's BJP vice-president Hemlal Murmu saying that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MLAs and co-organisers the competition, Simon Marandi and Stephen Marandi, have insulted the culture of Santhal Pargana. 

"JMM MLAs Simon Marandi and Stephen Marandi have insulted the culture of Santhal Pargana in the name of Hul Mela and organised the kissing competition. We demand their suspension from the House and not allowing them to attend the winter session starting tomorrow," state BJP Vice President Hemlal Murmu told reporters at Ranchi. Murmu called the competition  "an insult to women power" stating that a boy and a girl don't even shake hands in the area.

Simon Marandi is JMM MLA from Littipara in Santhal Pargana. Party MLA Stephen Marandi was also present at the fair.

The organisers of the event shared that the competition was organised with an aim to bring down the divorce rate among married couples.

Reportedly, the kissing contest was a part of Dumaria's annual fair that includes activities like tribal dance, archery, running among others. 

Simon Marandi told PTI that the competition was organised among 20 pairs to strengthen the bond among married couples.

He further noted that nobody is trying to understand the Santhal society. 

Jharkhand's rural development Minister and BJP leader Neel Kanth Singh Munda has also condemned the incident stating it an insult to the tribal society. Simon Marandi was criticised for giving away prizes to the winners.

(With inputs from PTI)

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New Post has been published on http://www.visionmp.com/kissing-competition-was-held-to-stop-the-increasing-number-of-divorce-in-the-tribal-society-organisers/

JMM MLAs kick up controversy over 'kissing competition'

Ranchi/Pakur/Dumka: Two Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLAs have courted controversy by organising a “kissing competition” for tribal couples during a traditional village fair in Pakur district, with the BJP demanding that they be suspended from the Assembly as they had “insulted” the local culture.

However, JMM MLA Simon Marandi, who was the organiser, said the “kissing competition” was held to stop the increasing number of divorce in the tribal society. Simon Marandi is JMM MLA from Littipara in Santhal Pargana. Party MLA Stephen Marandi was also present in the fair.

A video of the “kissing competition” last night during the fair in Jhumaria village in Santhal Pargana, around 400 km from the state capital, went viral on social media on Monday.

In the video tribal couples are seen locked in a kiss while the crowd cheered.

BJP’s Jharkhand unit vice president Hemlal Murmu demanded suspension of Simon Marandi and Stephen Marandi from the state Assembly over the issue.

“JMM MLAs Simon Marandi and Stephen Marandi have insulted the culture of Santhal Pargana in the name of ‘Hul Mela’ and organised ‘kissing competition’. We demand their suspension from the House and not allowing them to attend the winter session starting tomorrow,” state BJP Vice President Hemlal Murmu told reporters at Ranchi.

It has never been a culture in the Santhal Pargana, he said, adding, “This is an insult to women power.”

Murmu demanded that the two MLAs tender an apology to the village heads, adding in Santhal Pargana a boy and a girl do not even shake hands.

Asked about the competition, Simon Marandi said that the competition was organised among 20 pairs to strengthen the bond among married couples.

Claiming that nobody is trying to understand the Santhal society, Simon Marandi said the competition was organised to stop divorce. He said that Stephen Marandi had come only after the completion of the competition.

Jharkhand rural development Minister and BJP leader Neel Kanth Singh Munda said at Dumka that it was an insult to the tribal society.

The minister also criticized Simon Marandi for giving away prize to the winners.

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In first cabinet decision, Hemant Soren govt drops Pathalgadi sedition cases - india news

In its first decision after assuming office, Hemant Soren led coalition government in Jharkhand on Sunday dropped cases against the accused in Pathalgadi-- a separatist movement, and against those who were booked by the BJP government for opposing the proposed amendments to the Chhota Nagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act.Cabinet secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh said the first cabinet meeting under Soren also cleared the creation of fast track courts to hear cases of rapes and other crimes against women and girlchild. It also gave its nod to additional posts of judicial officers.The BJP which is now the main opposition party in the state has slammed the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) led government’s decision on Pathalgadi.ALSO WATCH | Hemant Soren takes oath as the 11th chief minister of Jharkhand“It is not appreciable at all to let off all the accused involved in Pathalgadi movement. Real conspirators and instigators, who fuelled this separatist movement, should face the legal proceedings,” said BJP’s state spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo. Some of tribal belts in the state specially Khunti district had recently witnessed the worst ever separatist movement, which is known locally as Pathalgadi.Pathalgadi is a practice of raising stone plaques at village outskirts with warnings and declarations inscribed on it. The plaques declared village gram sabha as the only sovereign authority and banned the entry of outsiders in the village. The movement was finally quelled after the arrest of its leaders.Reportedly, there were more than 75 FIRs registered in different police stations in Khunti district against proponents of this movement including nearly 10,000 unknowns.The then Raghubar Das government’s decision to amend the tenancy laws in 2017 also saw widespread protests. The Governor had returned the proposal with suggestions leading to the BJP withdrawing it.In other decisions, the cabinet cleared immediate filling up of vacancies in the government offices along with speedy disbursement of dues to para-teachers, Anganwari workers and student scholarships.The state cabinet also decided to hold a three-day assembly session from January 6 and appointed JMM legislator Stephen Marandi the pro-tem speaker, who will administer oaths to the newly elected members of the fifth assembly, said Singh.The Governor’s address will be held on the second day followed by the election of a full-term assembly speaker and the meeting of the business advisory committee. The second supplementary budget of the fiscal year 2019-20 will also be tabled on the second day.The House will debate the thanksgiving motion to the Governor’s address and debate the second supplementary budget on the concluding day of the session.The cabinet also decided to distribute blankets and woolen caps to the poor and authorized the deputy commissioners for immediate action. Read the full article