RANCHI, Nov 28: Hemant Soren was sworn in as the 14th Chief Minister of Jharkhand during a grand ceremony held in Ranchi on Thursday. The event witnessed the presence of several prominent political leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar.

This marks the 49-year-old Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader’s fourth term as Chief Minister. Soren retained his Barhait constituency seat in the recent assembly elections, defeating BJP candidate Gamliyel Hembrom by a significant margin of 39,791 votes. The JMM-led alliance secured a decisive victory in the elections, winning 56 out of 81 seats in the Jharkhand Assembly, while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) managed to secure 24 seats.

The swearing-in ceremony turned Ranchi into a hub of political activity, with key opposition leaders gracing the occasion. Among the attendees were AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, and other notable figures, including Arvind Kejriwal, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav, Mehbooba Mufti, and Tejashwi Yadav.

In preparation for the event, security was heightened across Ranchi, and traffic regulations were imposed. Schools in the city remained closed on Thursday to facilitate smooth conduct of the ceremony. Posters commemorating the occasion were displayed throughout the city. On the eve of the event, Soren, accompanied by senior officials, visited the Morabadi Ground to inspect the arrangements.

Soren took the oath alone, with the cabinet expansion scheduled to take place after a vote of confidence in the state assembly. Jharkhand Congress in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir confirmed the plan, emphasizing the importance of following due process.

Soren also took a moment to congratulate his wife, Kalpana Soren, on her victory in the Gandey constituency. Her win adds to the celebratory atmosphere within the JMM camp.

Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Soren expressed gratitude for the presence of senior leaders from across the political spectrum, stating, “It’s heartening to have such esteemed leaders join us for this important occasion.”