Champai Soren’s son Babulal Loses Ghatshila by Huge Margin
Babulal Soren Falls Behind as JMM Retains Ghatshila Seat
Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Nov 14: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has retained the Ghatshila Assembly seat with a decisive victory, as Somesh Chandra Soren defeated BJP candidate Babulal Soren by a massive margin of 38,524 votes. The counting, held at the local Co-operative College, concluded late in the evening after 20 rounds, officially declaring the JMM nominee the winner. Somesh secured 1,04,794 votes, while his rival managed only 66,270 votes, marking Babulal Soren’s second consecutive defeat in a single year.
This victory also breaks a family record. In 2024, late MLA and former Education Minister Ramdas Soren — Somesh’s father — had won the seat with 98,356 votes, defeating the same BJP candidate by a margin of 22,446 votes. Somesh not only retained his father’s political legacy but surpassed his victory margin by a significant difference.
BJP’s Babulal Soren, son of former Chief Minister and Seraikela MLA Champai Soren, failed to expand his vote share this time. In the 2024 polls, he had secured 75,910 votes; however, his vote count dropped sharply in the by-election.
The Jharkhand Loktantarik Krantikari Morcha (JLKYM) candidate, Ramdas Murmu, finished third with 11,542 votes, improving his tally compared to his 2024 performance of 8,092 votes. NOTA received 2,765 votes.
The poll outcome reflects a strong endorsement of JMM’s grassroots support in the constituency and suggests shifting voter sentiment ahead of upcoming state elections. The emphatic mandate also signals the party’s growing consolidation in the tribal belt of East Singhbhum.
Ground strategy by MLA Sanjib Sardar credited for JMM’s record win
Jamshedpur, Nov 14: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s resounding win in the Ghatshila by-election is being widely attributed to the meticulous on-ground strategy led by Potka MLA Sanjib Sardar. Somesh Chandra Soren not only retained the seat but achieved a larger victory margin than his father, late Education Minister Ramdas Soren. Somesh defeated BJP’s Babulal Soren by 38,524 votes, compared to his father’s 22,446-vote margin in 2024.
Election analysts say Sanjib Sardar played the “decisive” role in shifting the electoral dynamics. Assigned a major responsibility by the party, Sardar camped in Ghatshila for nearly a month, conducting extensive village-to-village outreach. His strong connect with Bhumij and Munda communities — the constituency’s second-largest demographic with nearly 40,000 voters — proved crucial. These groups voted overwhelmingly for JMM this time, reversing past trends in several pockets.
Villages such as Jhanti Jharna, Sundarpur, Cholagoda, Patkita, Budhajor, Bagalgoda, Pyaragudi, Kendadih, Muchrisol, Chhodiya, Aamda, Maudasoli, Uparsuli and Molisol recorded unprecedented turnout in favour of JMM, attributed to Sardar’s personalised engagement and organisational push.
Political observers note that BJP had deployed former Chief Minister Champai Soren to lead its campaign strategy. However, they believe Sanjib Sardar’s persistent mobilisation “blunted the BJP’s plan” and even dented its traditional vote banks.
Speaking after the victory, MLA Sanjib Sardar said, “This win is the people’s mandate. It reflects their trust in Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s leadership and the policies of the Jharkhand government. The public has clearly indicated that the BJP’s influence is fading. Jharkhand has chosen development, dignity and a government that protects Jharkhandi identity.”
He added that similar outcomes await the BJP in upcoming elections as well.
BJP Candidate Leaves Counting Centre Midway
Facing a consistent and widening deficit, BJP candidate Babulal Soren reportedly left the counting centre midway.
Soon after, most BJP workers also vacated their camp. The defeat marks a significant setback for the BJP, especially as Babulal Soren could not replicate his 2024 performance, when he had secured 75,910 votes.
Both Sides Had Pulled Out Top Leadership
Both major parties had mounted a massive campaign in the run-up to the by-election.
The BJP deployed four former Chief Ministers — Raghubar Das, Babulal Marandi, Arjun Munda and Champai Soren — along with several senior leaders from Odisha and West Bengal.
On the other hand, JMM fielded its top leadership including Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Kalpana Soren, multiple ministers, and party MLAs, ensuring a strong grassroots outreach.
With this emphatic victory, JMM has strengthened its hold over Ghatshila, marking its most dominant performance in the constituency’s electoral history.
