Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s Wife, Kalpana Soren, Could Be Next Chief Minister
Potential Political Shift: Kalpana Soren Emerges as Contender for Jharkhand Chief Minister
In a surprising turn of events, sources within the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Party have hinted that Kalpana Soren, the wife of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, might step in as the next Chief Minister if her husband faces arrest in an alleged money laundering case. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had previously made a similar claim, which was initially dismissed by Chief Minister Soren.
The Enforcement Directorate is set to question Mr. Soren in the money laundering case, and there are speculations of a possible arrest. In case of such an event, it has been proposed in a meeting of MLAs that Kalpana Soren could be appointed as the Chief Minister.
However, there is a catch as Ms. Soren is not currently a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). If she assumes the role of Chief Minister, she would need to win a by-election within six months to become a member. The challenge here is that a poll may not be feasible, given that the assembly’s term is set to end in less than a year.
Kalpana Soren hails from Odisha’s Mayurbhanj and tied the knot with Hemant Soren on February 7, 2006. The couple has two children, Nikhil and Ansh. Born in Ranchi in 1976, Kalpana pursued engineering and later completed an MBA. She is known for her involvement in running a school, organic farming, and ownership of three commercial buildings valued at nearly ₹5 crore. She is also actively engaged in programs focused on women and children empowerment.
In 2022, Kalpana gained attention when former Chief Minister Raghubar Das accused Mr. Soren of using his influence to allocate an industrial plot to a company owned by his wife. The unfolding events are closely watched, especially with the possibility of Kalpana Soren stepping into a significant political role if circumstances demand