New Delhi [India], August 4: AAP Delhi President Saurabh Bhardwaj on Monday paid tribute to former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, remembering him as a towering figure who dedicated his life to the fight for jal, jungle, zameen and the rights of tribals.
Bhardwaj said Soren's passing marks the loss of a leader who led a lifelong struggle for justice and dignity for Jharkhand's Adivasi community.
Speaking to ANI, Bhardwaj said," "He fought a great battle for Jharkhand, tribals, and 'jal, jungle, zameen'. He is no longer with us today. We all join his family in this grief. We pray to God to grant him a place at his feet."
Union Minister and JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh also offered condolences, remembering Soren's lifelong contribution.
"He made a significant contribution to the upliftment of the Scheduled Tribes of the country. He struggled throughout his life. Today, he is no longer with us; may God grant peace to his soul," he added.
Meanwhile, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and his wife, JMM MLA Kalpana Soren, left their Delhi residence for Sir Gangaram Hospital, where the mortal remains of his father, JMM patron and former CM Shibu Soren, are kept.
Arrangements are underway in Jharkhand for state-level tributes. The mortal remains of Shibu Soren will be brought to the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi at 10 AM on August 5 to allow leaders and citizens to pay their final respects.
The former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and leader of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Shibu Soren, passed away after a prolonged illness at the age of 81 on Monday morning in New Delhi.
The Jharkhand Chief Minister and his son Hemant Soren confirmed the demise of the leader in a post on X.
"Respected Dishom Guruji has left us all. Today, I am devastated," Hemant Soren said.
According to the Sri Ganga Ram Hospital in the national capital, where the former Chief Minister was admitted, Shibu Soren was suffering from a kidney ailment. He had suffered a stroke one and a half months ago. He was on life support for the past month.
Shibu Soren led the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha for 38 years and is known as the founding patron of the party. He was the third Chief Minister of Jharkhand.
Over a four-decade career in politics, Soren was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times and served as a Rajya Sabha MP for two terms.