November 28, 2024: In a dazzling display of opposition unity, Hemant Soren was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand for the fourth consecutive time on Thursday, in a ceremony that brought together top leaders of the INDIA alliance. The grand event, held at Ranchi’s Morabadi Ground, was attended by several prominent figures, signaling a strong political message ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar administered the oath of office to Hemant Soren, who was re-elected as the Chief Minister after leading his party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), to a stunning victory in the state assembly elections. Despite a tumultuous year, including his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) earlier this year over a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam, Soren made a remarkable political comeback, defying exit poll predictions and securing 56 of the 81 Assembly seats in the state.

The swearing-in ceremony, which took place under the watchful eyes of a star-studded audience, saw key leaders from the INDIA alliance, which is headed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, gather in solidarity with Soren. Among the attendees were West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and Bihar’s Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, along with other influential figures from across the political spectrum.

Speaking after the oath-taking, Soren pledged to work towards a united Jharkhand and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the alliance. He also emphasized his government’s focus on social welfare, economic development, and justice for all.

The swearing-in was not only a personal triumph for Soren but also a major political statement for the opposition bloc. His JMM, in alliance with the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and CPI-ML, emerged victorious in a tough electoral contest, signaling a shift in the political landscape of the state.

As Hemant Soren begins his fourth term as Jharkhand's Chief Minister, discussions are expected to intensify over the allocation of portfolios in the new government. The INDIA partners are likely to receive cabinet positions based on a proportional representation formula—one ministerial post for every four MLAs. This could see Congress receiving four cabinet posts, RJD one, and the Left parties, who have two MLAs, securing one position. The constitution of Jharkhand caps the number of ministers at 12, making the distribution of cabinet berths a crucial matter in the coming days.