New Delhi: In a significant political development, Kalpana Soren, wife of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, will be the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate for Gandey Assembly by-poll. The JMM, a key member of INDIA bloc in Jharkhand, also announced the candidature of Sameer Mohanty from Jamshedpur Lok Sabha seat.

The by-polls seat in Gandey fell vacant after the resignation of JMM MLA Sarfaraz Ahmad. The Gandey by-polls are scheduled to be held on May 20 along with parliamentary elections in the state. Kalpana Soren will file her nomination on April 29, 2024.  

Who is Kalpana Soren?

Kalpana Soren is a homemaker with two master's degrees, including an MTech and an MBA. She came into the limelight with her strong speeches against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after Hemant Soren was held by the Enforcement Directorate in relation to a money laundering case connected to an alleged land scam.

When Hemant Soren was taken into custody, speculations were made about Kalpana Soren's chance of taking over as Jharkhand Chief Minister, replacing current CM Champai Soren.