Shibu Soren being taken to deputy commissioner’s chamber in Dumka. Picture by Mani Keshri

Dumka/Jamtara, April 2: Looking tired and exhausted, Shibu Soren today filed nominations for the Dumka Lok Sabha and the Jamtara Assembly seats after the ailing JMM chief was flown in by an air ambulance from New Delhi.

A huge crowd watched in silence as the special plane, belonging to Apollo Hospital, Delhi, laned at the airstrip here. He was put in an ambulance that had been sent by Apollo from Ranchi and driven to the Dumka DC and returning officer, Prashant Kumar’s office.

Later, he was driven to Jamtara where he filed his papers but did not return to Dumka en route New Delhi as planned. Under doctors advice, he would spend the night at the ICU of the Bokaro Steel Plant hospital and leave for New Delhi tomorrow.

In Dumka, Soren’s son’s, Durga and Hemant, helped him walk into the DC’s office from the portico where the ambulance was allowed to be parked after the JMM organised special permission.

The JMM chief, who was accompanied by wife Rupi, a team of doctors and senior party leaders including Bijoy Singh, then filed his nomination before Kumar, while his sons kept the crowd at bay.

“Look at our leader, he is in a helpless condition. We feel bad for him,” said a group of partymen, to which Durga retorted, “Don’t worry, he will be cured and will join you soon.”

But senior leaders JMM like Hemlal Murmu, Nalin Soren, Ravindar Mahto, Sufal Marandi were visibly upset at seeing Shibu Soren, who looked weak and remained quiet throughout the filing process.

Soren has been undergoing treatment for complications arising out of a urinary tract infection in Delhi since March 2. He was initially admitted to AIIMS and last week, he was shifted to Apollo Hospital.

“Don’t worry,” said Amrendra, among the doctors who accompanied the JMM leader in the air ambulance. “He is looking tired due to the day’s journey. He will be cured completely and join the poll campaign soon.”

Soren went to Jamtara in his ambulance and reached the office of the sub-divisional officier and returning officer, B.P.L. Das. around 2.40pm. Apart from family, among those who helped him file his papers were the JMM’s MLA from Nala, Ravindar Mahto, and the party’s Koderma candidate, Vishnu Bhaiya.