Births on January 11

Shibu Soren, Indian politician, 3rd Chief Minister of Jharkhand

Shibu Soren, often affectionately referred to as "Guruji" by his supporters, is a prominent Indian politician born on January 11, 1944. A towering figure in the political landscape of Jharkhand, he has notably served as the Chief Minister of the state on three separate occasions, showcasing his enduring influence and central role in regional politics. His tenures as Chief Minister include a brief period in 2005 (from March 2 to March 12), followed by a term spanning from 2008 to 2009, and subsequently from 2009 to 2010.

Soren's political career is deeply intertwined with the aspirations for a separate Jharkhand state, a movement in which he played a pivotal role as a tribal leader championing the rights of indigenous communities. He is the long-standing President of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) political party, a regional powerhouse that has consistently been a key player in state governance and a constituent of national alliances like the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Prior to his Chief Ministerial stints, Soren also served as a Member of Parliament, representing the Dumka constituency of Jharkhand in the Lok Sabha, including during the 14th Lok Sabha.

Shibu Soren's Chief Ministerial Tenures: A Detailed Look

Shibu Soren's journey to the Chief Minister's office has been marked by a series of political maneuvers and electoral battles, reflecting the often-complex coalition dynamics of Jharkhand.

• First Term (March 2 - March 12, 2005): His initial stint as Chief Minister in 2005 was remarkably short-lived, lasting only ten days. Sworn in after a fragmented election result, he faced immediate challenges in proving his majority. His government quickly collapsed due to his inability to secure the necessary support from various political factions in the state assembly, leading to a swift resignation and highlighting the volatile nature of coalition politics in the newly formed state.
• Second Term (August 2008 - January 2009): Soren commenced his second term as Chief Minister in August 2008. As he was not an elected member of the state legislative assembly (MLA) at the time of his swearing-in, he was constitutionally required to win a by-election and become an MLA within six months to retain his position. On January 9, 2009, he contested the crucial by-election for the Tamar assembly constituency. However, he suffered a significant and unexpected defeat, losing to Gopal Krishan Patar, also known as Raja Peter, a relatively new face from the Jharkhand Party, by a margin exceeding 9,000 votes. This electoral setback necessitated his resignation as Chief Minister later that month, bringing his second term to an end as he could not fulfill the constitutional mandate.
• Third Term (December 2009 - May 2010): Following the Jharkhand Assembly elections in late 2009, which saw another fractured mandate, Shibu Soren once again managed to form a government. This time, his Jharkhand Mukti Morcha entered into an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a significant national party. He was sworn in for his third term as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand on December 30, 2009. Similar to his previous term, he was not an MLA at the time of his oath. To address this, he subsequently contested and won a by-election from the Jamtara constituency, thanks to the tactical resignation of sitting BJP MLA Bishnu Prasad Bhaiya in his favor – a common political maneuver to enable a non-legislator Chief Minister to enter the assembly. Despite this electoral success, his government's stability was short-lived. Soren resigned on May 30, 2010, after the Bharatiya Janata Party, his key coalition partner, withdrew its support, leading to the collapse of his third government within months.

National Presence and Legal Challenges

Beyond his significant role in state politics, Shibu Soren has also held positions at the national level, signifying his broader influence in Indian politics. In November 2006, he served as the Union Minister for Coal in the Indian Union Cabinet. However, his tenure at the national level was overshadowed by a major legal challenge.

During his time as Union Minister, a Delhi district court found him guilty in November 2006 in connection with the 1994 murder of his private secretary, Shashi Nath Jha. This conviction led to his immediate resignation from the Union Cabinet, creating a significant political stir. It is crucial to note that Soren challenged this verdict in a higher court, and in August 2007, the Delhi High Court acquitted him of all charges in the murder case, overturning the lower court's decision. While the murder case garnered considerable national attention, Soren has also faced indictment in the past on other criminal charges, a reality not uncommon for prominent political figures in India, though the specifics of these charges have varied and many have not resulted in convictions.

Key Contributions and Legacy

Shibu Soren's political journey is a testament to his resilience and his deep connection with the tribal population of Jharkhand. As a key architect and leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, he spearheaded the long and arduous movement for the creation of Jharkhand as a separate state from Bihar, aiming to secure distinct political, economic, and cultural rights for its indigenous inhabitants. His legacy includes championing tribal land rights, advocating for social justice, and striving for the upliftment of marginalized communities in the region, earning him the affectionate title of "Guruji" for his role as a mentor and guide to his people.

Frequently Asked Questions about Shibu Soren

Who is Shibu Soren?

Shibu Soren, widely known as "Guruji," is an influential Indian politician and the long-serving President of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) party. He is primarily recognized for his pivotal role in the movement for Jharkhand's statehood and for serving as its Chief Minister three times.

How many times has Shibu Soren been Chief Minister of Jharkhand?

Shibu Soren has served as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand on three separate occasions: a brief period in 2005, from 2008 to 2009, and again from 2009 to 2010.

What is the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)?

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is a major regional political party in the Indian state of Jharkhand. Co-founded by Shibu Soren, its primary objective historically has been to advocate for the rights of indigenous people and to achieve statehood for Jharkhand, a goal that was realized in 2000. It remains a dominant force in state politics.

Was Shibu Soren ever a Union Minister?

Yes, Shibu Soren served as the Union Minister for Coal in the Indian Union Cabinet in November 2006. He resigned from this position following a conviction in a murder case by a lower court, a verdict that was subsequently overturned by the Delhi High Court.

Why did Shibu Soren resign from the Chief Minister's post multiple times?

His resignations were primarily due to two reasons:

• Failure to secure or maintain stable majority support in the state assembly for his coalition government, leading to its collapse (as observed in his 2005 and 2010 tenures).
• Constitutional requirements necessitating an elected membership in the state legislature. In 2009, he resigned as Chief Minister after failing to win a by-election within the stipulated six-month period following his swearing-in.