Not in our DNA to bow down: Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's wife Kalpana criticises relative Sita Soren for joining BJP

Kalpana, the wife of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, took a dig at Sita Soren after she left the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Kalpana said that it is not in a Jharkhandi's DNA to bow down and that the tribal society has not learnt to move forward by turning its back.

Family's History of Resistance

Speaking about her husband's arrest, Kalpana mentioned that it's not in a Jharkhandi's nature to give in, highlighting the tribal society's tradition of not compromising. She emphasized Hemant's time in jail, fighting against the same forces as his elder brother and late Durga da, aligning with their battles against capitalists and feudalists.

"For Hemant ji, late Durga da (Sita Soren's husband) was not only an elder brother but also a father-like guardian ... And it is not in a Jharkhandi's DNA to bow down," she said while reacting to Sita joining BJP.

Elaborating on her husband's arrest, Kalpana Soren said, "Hemant ji went to jail, fighting with the same forces as the struggles of respected Baba (Shibu Soren) and late Durga da and the battle they had fought against the capitalists and feudalists. They did not bow down. He chose the path of fighting like a Jharkhandi."

"Anyway, our tribal society has never learned to move forward by turning its back, and making compromises. It is not in a Jharkhandi's DNA to bow down," she added.

Reluctant Entry into Politics
Kalpana revealed Hemant's accidental entry into politics, stating that he didn't intend to join but circumstances led him to after the untimely death of Durga da and Baba's health issues. She noted Hemant's commitment to carrying forward JMM's legacy and the struggle of his family.

Kalpana said, "Hemant ji did not want to enter politics but given the untimely death of Durga dada and the health of Baba, he had to enter the field of politics. Hemant ji did not choose politics but politics chose Hemant ji."

"Those who had decided to become architects now had the responsibility of carrying forward the legacy and struggle of JMM, the respected Baba and the late Durga da," she added.

Sita Soren's Claims
In contrast, Sita Soren, upon joining BJP, expressed dissatisfaction with JMM, claiming she hadn't received the respect she deserved after serving the party for 14 years. She cited the lack of recognition for her late husband's hard work as a reason for her decision.

"I served the party for 14 years, but to date, I have not received the respect that I should have received in those 14 years, due to which I had to take this very big decision for respect of hard work made by my late husband Durgashwar ji...we have remained untouched till date, we have not received any respect from any kind of party, " she said.

(With inputs from TOI)