Jamshedpur: The political temperature in Kolhan is rising fast as the Ghatshila Assembly by-election, scheduled for November 11, gears up to become a neck-and-neck contest between the BJP and the JMM. Both parties have fielded strong candidates carrying political legacies — setting the stage for an emotional and fiercely fought battle.
The bypoll was necessitated by the demise of senior JMM leader and minister Ramdas Soren, a towering tribal figure whose influence in Ghatshila spanned decades. His son, Somesh Soren, has now been nominated by the JMM to carry forward his father’s political legacy. The BJP, on the other hand, has reposed faith once again in Babulal Soren, son of former Chief Minister Champai Soren, who joined the BJP last year after breaking away from the JMM fold.
The by-election has thus turned into a Soren-versus-Soren showdown — a clash not just between two political parties but between two powerful tribal families with deep roots in the region.
Babulal Soren, who had contested the 2024 Assembly election from Ghatshila on a BJP ticket but lost to Ramdas Soren, has been brought back into the fray with the party’s full backing. The BJP hopes to capitalize on his local connect, grassroots presence, and developmental image to turn the tide in a constituency long considered a JMM bastion.
After receiving his nomination, Babulal expressed gratitude to the party leadership, saying,
“I extend my heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, BJP National President J.P. Nadda ji, Union Home Minister Amit Shah ji, Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi ji, and all senior leaders and party workers for declaring me the official BJP candidate from Ghatshila.”
Meanwhile, Somesh Soren, the JMM’s fresh face, is banking on his father’s goodwill and the emotional connection the late minister shared with voters. Somesh, who recently purchased his nomination papers from the Ghatsila subdivision office, will be contesting an election for the first time, but he already enjoys strong grassroots support within the constituency.
The ruling JMM is going all out to retain the seat. Chief Minister Hemant Soren himself will lead the campaign charge and attend Somesh’s nomination rally on October 17 at the Dahigoda Circus Ground in Ghatshila.
According to party sources, the Chief Minister will arrive by helicopter around 12:15 pm and is expected to accompany Somesh to the sub-divisional office for filing the nomination papers. The JMM has already begun large-scale preparations for the event, which is likely to witness a massive turnout of supporters and workers.
Party insiders say Hemant Soren’s personal involvement underscores the symbolic importance of the seat for the JMM. “Ghatshila is not just another constituency — it represents the heart of the JMM’s tribal base in Kolhan,” a senior leader said.
For the BJP, however, Ghatshila is an opportunity to break the JMM’s dominance in the region and expand its influence among tribal voters. The party is emphasizing development projects, welfare schemes, and central initiatives like PM Awas Yojana and Ayushman Bharat, highlighting Babulal Soren’s proximity to central leaders and his accessibility to the people.
“Ghatshila has traditionally leaned towards the JMM, but the BJP sees an opening due to local dissatisfaction and Babulal’s growing connect with the youth and first-time voters,” said a senior BJP strategist.
