Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Shibu Soren has passed away at the age of 81. Soren, a towering figure in Jharkhand politics, died on Monday morning in Delhi's Sri Gangaram Hospital after a prolonged illness. His son, the current Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, announced his father's death, expressing deep sorrow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, saying he was "pained by his passing away". In a tweet, Modi acknowledged Soren's dedication to the people and his passion for empowering tribal communities and the downtrodden. He described Soren as a grassroots leader who rose through the ranks of public life with unwavering dedication. Modi also conveyed his condolences to Hemant Soren and his family.

Shibu Soren had been battling a prolonged kidney ailment and had suffered a stroke a month and a half prior to his death. He had been on life support at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi for the past month.

Soren's political career spanned decades, and he was a central figure in the movement for a separate Jharkhand state. He served as Chief Minister of Jharkhand multiple times and was also a Member of Parliament. Soren's influence extended beyond his time in office, and he remained a significant presence in state politics.

Tributes poured in from political leaders across party lines. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh remembered Soren as a senior leader who fought for the rights and empowerment of weaker sections of society, especially the tribal community. BJP leader Nishikant Dubey acknowledged the end of an era with Soren's passing.

Soren's death marks a significant loss for Jharkhand. He was a controversial yet colossal figure who dedicated his life to the state and its people. His legacy as a champion of tribal rights and a key architect of Jharkhand will continue to be remembered.