Ranchi: Spearheading his party’s campaign in poll-bound Assam, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Monday announced Rs 2,500 monthly stipend to the state’s women even as the senior leadership of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) remained confident of playing a key role in forming the next govt in the northeastern state.Hemant announced Phool-Jhano Ma Samman Yojana, mirroring his govt’s Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana in Jharkhand. Launched in 2024, the scheme helped him return to office with a thumping majority in that year’s assembly poll. Currently, over 56 lakh women between 18-50 years in Jharkhand are beneficiaries of the scheme. Besides the new scheme, Hemant pledged to build safe and modern hostels for girl students.JMM, eyeing to grow its national footprint, snubbed Congress and went solo in Assam poll. The party fielded candidates in 21 seats but is now fighting for 18 seats in the 126-strong state legislature.Since March 29, Hemant along with battery of JMM MLAs, MPs and party workers are currently camping in various parts of Assam’s tea estate region to mobilise voters. Hemant held poll rallies in Dibrugarh and held strategy meetings with party workers on Monday.Taking to X, he wrote, “Today, I held a meeting in Dibrugarh, Assam, with workers of JMM regarding the upcoming assembly elections. There was an extensive discussion on the electoral strategy. The ideology of JMM has always been to strongly raise the voice of tribals, the exploited, and the deprived sections. This election is not just about a change of power in Assam, but also about empowering social justice and regional identity. With the enthusiasm, unity, and commitment of all, I am confident that we will move forward strongly together.”On JMM’s prospects, JMM central general secretary cum spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said in Ranchi, “JMM is fighting Assam election strongly, and will emerge as one of the key forces during formation of the next govt.”
