Account of Chief Ministers since the formation of Jharkhand state till date
Babulal Marandi:
15 November 2000 to 18 March 2003
MLA from Koderma of Bharatiya Janata Party
As the first Chief Minister, Marandi worked to give direction to the newly formed state of Jharkhand. The state was formed on 15 November 2000. He remained on this post for about 2 years and 123 days. He mainly worked on the state’s infrastructure. He worked on the plan for road network improvement and expansion and development of the capital Ranchi. Babulal Marandi made great efforts in coordinating social justice and development in the tribal-dominated state. However, his work was somewhat hampered by coalition instability and other political challenges. Disagreements within allies led him to step down in 2003. Yet in the limited time and resources he tried his best to speed up the state.
Arjun Munda:
18 March 2003 to 2 March 2005
Kharswan MLA from Bharatiya Janata Party
Arjun Munda’s first tenure as Chief Minister lasted for approximately 1 year 349 days. During this period, he emerged as a strong leader of the tribals and tried to bring transparency in the governance system and implement a smooth system. He also paid attention to social welfare schemes. His second term lasted from 12 March 2005 to 18 September 2006. During this tenure, he only promoted tribal interests in the state. However, this government also could not remain stable and then there was a change of power. The main contributions of his leadership period are the formation of Lokayukta in the state, strengthening of Panchayat and local governance systems, and promotion of areas like tribal youth sports (archery). Later, discord in the party also came in his way.
Shibu Soren:
2 March 2005 to 12 March 2005
Eight-time MP from Dumka, Rajya Sabha MP in last year of life
It was a tenure of only 10 days. A big leader of tribal politics, Soren, popularly known as Guruji, did his entire politics only in the name of tribals. The time of this tenure was so short that he could not do any decisive work. Nevertheless, this tenure was important because he had already made a beginning in the matters of tribal identity, land ownership, and making the state self-reliant. Even though this tenure was more ‘symbolic’ and less ‘functional’, the state later followed the path created by him.
Arjun Munda:
12 March 2005 to 18 September 2006)
Kharswan MLA from Bharatiya Janata Party
In the second term, Munda remained in office for about 1 year and 190 days. During this period, he took steps towards investment-based development, power-energy expansion and governance reform. For example, he started working towards making the state an electricity-abundant state. Due to the situation of coalition politics and discord, many things could not be done.
Madhu Koda:
18 September 2006 to 27 August 2008
Independent, MLA from Jagannathpur
The tenure was approximately 1 year 343 days. Koda became the Chief Minister as an independent MLA. Koda is also considered a controversial Chief Minister. During his tenure, many scams and corruption came to light. He was later found guilty in the coal block allocation case.
Shibu Soren:
27 August 2008 to 19 January 2009
This tenure lasted for about 145 days. Soren again started working for the tribals during this period. Amidst the unstable situation of the government and socio-economic challenges, he became more vocal than before on tribal issues. This was important from the point of view of tribal social justice, but from the point of view of administration the work was less.
Shibu Soren:
30 December 2009 to 1 June 2010
This third term was for approximately 153 days. During this time also he talked about tribal rights, land security and local self-governance. The government was formed again after President’s rule, hence the tenure was limited.
Arjun Munda:
11 September 2010 to 18 January 2013
His third term lasted for about 2 years and 129 days. During this period he put forward some basic reform plans. Strengthened the system of local corporations and panchayats. This time too he could not complete his five-year tenure.
Hemant Soren:
Multiple tenures since 2013
MLA from Ramgarh of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha
First term: 13 July 2013 to 28 December 2014 (approximately 1 year 168 days), Second term: 29 December 2019 to 2 February 2024 (approximately 4 years 35 days), Third term: 4 July 2024 to present. He made policies focused on social welfare schemes, education-health and youth-entrepreneurship. He strengthened the tribal-dominated Garhboni, linked the schemes to the social-land, and created a new definition of leadership.
Raghubar Das:
28 December 2014 to 29 December 2019
Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Jamshedpur
Served full tenure of 5 years and 1 day. This has been the most stable tenure of Jharkhand so far. Under Das’ rule, industrialization and external investment gained momentum in the capital Ranchi and surrounding districts. Besides, work was also done in administration-reform, road-infrastructure and power-energy sectors.
Champai Soren:
2 February 2024 to 4 July 2024
MLA from Seraikela of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha
His tenure lasted for about 153 days. Due to political crisis, Champai was made the Chief Minister. He did a good job even in limited time.
President’s rule was imposed thrice – from 19 January 2009 to 29 December 2009, from 1 June 2010 to 10 September 2010 and from 18 January 2013 to 13 July 2013.
