After spending five months in prison, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren is poised to return as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, reported The Indian Express. According to media reports, the decision regarding leadership change was made after INDIA alliance MLAs and leaders reached a consensus at a meeting held in Ranchi today.

Soren was released from jail on June 28 after the Jharkhand High Court granted him bail in connection with a money laundering case related to an alleged land scam.

Champai Soren is expected to resign as Chief Minister of Jharkhand this evening around 8 pm, media reports said, citing sources. The INDIA bloc’s meeting took place at the Chief Minister’s residence in Ranchi. This will mark the third time Hemant Soren is sworn in as Chief Minister of Jharkhand.

During a JMM legislature party meeting, Champai Soren expressed feeling “insulted,” NDTV reported citing sources. Despite this, the party proceeded to name Hemant Soren as its legislature party leader. Champai Soren may submit his resignation to the Governor this evening, initiating the process for Hemant Soren to assume the position.

Leaders of the ruling coalition agreed on Hemant Soren’s return during a meeting at Champai Soren’s residence. Attendees included Congress’ Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir, state president Rajesh Thakur and Hemant Soren’s wife and MLA Kalpana Soren.

Speculation about the change in leadership arose after all significant programs of Chief Minister Champai Soren were cancelled today. With elections in Jharkhand approaching, the JMM plans to contest with Hemant Soren as its main candidate. However, the decision to replace Champai Soren may provide the opposition BJP with leverage in the upcoming elections, reinforcing their narrative of dynastic politics.

Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP from Jharkhand’s Godda, criticised the JMM in a social media post, declaring that the “Champai Soren era is over in Jharkhand.” He further attacked the party by stating, “In the family-oriented party, people outside the family have no political future. I wish the Chief Minister drew inspiration from Bhagwan Birsa Munda and stood up against the corrupt Hemant Soren ji.”

Champai Soren, 67, a veteran JMM leader, has been associated with party founder and Hemant Soren’s father, Shibu Soren, for decades and previously served as a cabinet minister in Hemant Soren’s government.