Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's Wife Kalpana Files Nomination For Gandey Assembly Bypoll

Kalpana Soren will be contesting election as a JMM candidate. As she filed her nomination, she was accompanied by CM Champai Soren and brother-in-law Basant Soren, among others.

Kalpana Soren, wife of former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, files her nomination for Gandey assembly.

New Delhi: Kalpana Soren, the wife of jailed former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, on Monday filed her nomination as the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate for the Gandey assembly bypoll. She was accompanied by Chief Minister Champai Soren, brother-in-law Basant Soren, apart from Rajesh Thakur, the state chief of ally Congress, and ministers Alamgir Alam and Satyanand Bhokta.

The bypoll to the seat is scheduled for May 20 along with the parliamentary elections in the state.

The vacancy in Gandey, which falls in Giridih district, resulted from the resignation of JMM MLA Sarfaraz Ahmad. Following the submission of her nomination papers, PTI reported, Kalpana Soren expressed her aspirations and sought the support of the electorate, saying, "Give us one more chance, give us your blessings... this election is happening for the people of Gandey."

She also said the I.N.D.I.A bloc "is strong in the state and the country". The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha nominee also said she always takes criticism in a constructive manner.

Kalpana, who holds MTech and MBA degrees, completed her schooling at Baripada in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district.

Kalpana Soren's Political Journey

Kalpana Soren's political journey started with the 51st foundation day of the JMM, which was celebrated in Giridih on March 4. At the event, she said Jharkhand will give a befitting reply to the "forces" who put her husband behind bars.

Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on January 31 in connection with a money laundering case related to an alleged land scam.

The ruling JMM-led alliance proved its majority in the assembly on February 5, and Hemant Soren, allowed by court to be in the assembly for the trust vote, made a fiery speech. Kalpana, meanwhile, took to X to say "the fight against injustice and oppression will continue", PTI reported.

Speculation surrounding Kalpana's candidacy emerged in the wake of Sarfaraz Ahmad's resignation in December, with the BJP suggesting it was a preemptive move to pave the way for her potential candidacy should the Enforcement Directorate issue summons to her husband. However, at that time, Hemant Soren dismissed these rumours, labeling them as fabrications orchestrated by the BJP.