Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren Passes Away

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha patriarch Shibu Soren passed away on Monday morning in Delhi. He was 81 years old.

Soren passed away on Monday morning after battling prolonged illness.

The veteran politician was suffering from a kidney ailment and had suffered a stroke, a month and a half back, as per a ANI report. He was on the life support system for the last one month.

His death was confirmed by his son and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren. "Respected Guru Dishom has left us all. Today, I have become empty," wrote Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren on X.

With over a four-decade long career in politics, Shibu Soren played a central role in the statehood movement which led to the formation of Jharkhand in 2000 and remained a key political figure in eastern India.

He had been the leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha for the past 38 years and is recognised as the party's founding patron.

Soren was a prominent tribal leader and three-time Chief Minister of Jharkhand. He was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times and served as a Rajya Sabha MP for two terms, with the second ongoing term.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Soren's death in a post on X.

"Shri Shibu Soren Ji was a grassroots leader who rose through the ranks of public life with unwavering dedication to the people. He was particularly passionate about empowering tribal communities, the poor and downtrodden. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Spoke to Jharkhand CM Shri Hemant Soren Ji and expressed condolences. Om Shanti," he said.

Funeral arrangements are likely to be announced by the family and the statement government.