The Soren clan, leaders and JMM: What works and what doesn't for Jharkhand Mukti Morcha

New Delhi: Amid the current political crisis in Jharkhand, ET takes a look at the key stakeholders of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the Soren family and the leaders who call the shots. There have been defections in the party and the vulnerability of poaching from a stronger opposition like BJP always remains. But till now, it has tried to desist such moves within the party.

Shibu Soren
The 78-year old founder of JMM, and three-time CM of Jharkhand, remains the major binding force in the party. Party leaders told ET that Soren established a family connection with all his leaders and that makes it difficult for some leaders to betray the party, especially when the man is still alive. Called Dishom Guru and Guruji, Soren is not very active nowadays, but he keeps track of what is happening in the party. His connection with the Santhal voters is something the party thrives on.

Hemant Soren
The 2019 assembly election was the game changer in Hemant Soren's career as under his leadership, the party won 30 seats for the first time in the Jharkhand assembly. With Shibu Soren taking the back seat due to age and illness, Hemant Soren took charge of the party as working president in 2015 and since then he has twice become chief minister and once deputy CM. Soren's strength is in connecting with the new tribal voters and voters of all nine tribal castes in the state. JMM won 22 of the 29 ST reserved assembly seats in 2019.

Sita Soren
Sita Soren is the wife of the late Durga Soren, the eldest son of Shibu Soren. Durga Soren was the political heir who was liked by Shibu Soren and was an MLA from Jama. Durga died in his sleep in 2009 when he was 40 years old. Sita Soren now represents his seat for the third time. The family tussle is very much there between Sita Soren and Hemant Soren. On different occasions, she has raised her voice against Hemant Soren and JMM leaders close to him. She is working on establishing Durga Soren Sena and claims that Jharkhand was the result of Shibu Soren and her husband's struggle. But it is difficult for her to go against Shibu Soren.

Basant Soren
The youngest son of Shibu Soren, Basant is currently an MLA from Dumka, a seat vacated by Hemant Soren after he won from two constituencies in 2019. Basant is also the youth wing head of JMM. EC is hearing an office of profit case against him, and the recommendation could be out any time. Basant is currently with Hemant Soren, though there are differences, and it comes to the fore on some occasions.

Anjali Soren
Shibu Soren's daughter Anjali Soren lives in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, and had contested the Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha seat on the JMM ticket in 2019.

Sudivya Kumar Sonu
The Giridih MLA was one of the close associates of Shibu Soren and is still part of the core advisor's team of Hemant Soren. He realises that the times of Shibu and Hemant Soren are different with different challenges and adapts to the situation.

Vinod Pandey
One of the two JMM general secretaries, he is another leader in Hemant's core team. Pandey is a product of trade union politics in the coal fields.

Supriyo Bhattacharya

JMM general secretary and the media face of the party. An old party worker, he often comes to present the party views on different issues.