Jharkhand assembly polls: 'Passed exam of democracy', says Hemant Soren as JMM retains power

Hemant Soren won the Barhait seat in the Jharkhand Assembly elections with a majority of 39,791 votes. While his wife Kalpana won Gandey seat by a margin of 17,142 votes

Jharkhand assembly elections 2024 Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren with his wife and JMM leader Kalpana Soren, Congress' Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir and others flashes victory sign during a press conference as JMM-led INDIA bloc secures victory in the Jharkhand Assembly elections, in Ranchi, Saturday | PTI

Hemant Soren’s JMM-alliance stormed back to power in Jharkhand on Saturday for the second consecutive term. The alliance won 52 seats, leading four others in the 81-member assembly. 

While thanking the people of Jharkhand, CM Soren said the alliance's stellar performance as "passing the exam of democracy". 

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JMM is either leading or has won in 34 of the 43 seats it contested, while Congress in 16 of the 30 seats it fielded candidates. 

The BJP won or is leading in 21 of the 68 seats it contested. 

The majority mark in the assembly is 41. 

A look at the key winners of the constituency: 

Hemant Soren won the Barhait seat in the Jharkhand Assembly elections, by a margin of 39,791 votes. He defeated BJP's Gamliyel Hembrom. In 2019, he had won the constituency by 25,740 votes. 

JMM legislator and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's wife Kalpana won Gandey seat by a margin of 17,142 votes. She defeated BJP's Muniya Devi. Kalpana won the seat during the by-polls on June 4 after it fell vacant following the resignation of JMM MLA Sarfaraz Ahmad. 

JMM turncoat Champai Soren, who contested in the BJP ticket, won with a majority of 11,9379 votes from the Saraikela seat. 

While JMM's Basant Soren won with 95,685 votes from the Dumka seat. He defeated BJP's Sunil Soren. 

In Ranchi, BJP's C.P. Singh claimed victory with a 21,949 vote margin over JMM's Mahua Maji. 

From Jamshedpur East, BJP's Purnima Sahu won by 42,871 votes, and defeated Congress's Ajoy Kumar. 

Former CM Madhu Kora's wife Geeta Kora was defeated by INC's Sona Ram Sinku from the Jaganathpur seat. 

Despite challenges, Soren's strong voice for the state's tribal population has been central to his political identity. He had focused on his campaign and leadership, combined with a strong stance on tribal rights with social welfare initiatives, which has helped him retain power in the state. 

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