Hemant Soren: Eligible bachelor

Dumka, Feb. 20: He is the most eligible bachelor of Santhal Parganas. A Rahul Gandhi for the people of this region, but, unlike Rahul Gandhi, he is shy to disclose his girlfriend?s name.

JMM chief Shibu Soren?s youngest son Hemant Soren smiled coyly when asked whether he had a girlfriend. He became a bit uncomfortable when another question ?whether he would prefer an arranged marriage with traditional rituals or a love marriage outside his community? was shot at him.

?These are very personal questions. I avoid telling lies. So, I am not going to answer these questions,? said Hemant while talking to The Telegraph.

A mechanical engineering graduate from BIT Mesra, Hemant runs a consultancy firm in Ranchi.

He did his schooling in Dumka, Delhi, Bokaro and Patna. He is only 29 years old, but has challenged veteran Stephen Marandi, who has been winning the Dumka Assembly seat for the last 25 years.

He likes music and has a passion for driving. He likes good food and often tried his hand at cooking. He has not been to a night club or discotheque.

No khadi pyjama-kurta for him. Like any youngster, he loves denims and Levi?s is his favourite brand. He is usually seen in jeans, shirt and sandals. He talks to villagers in Santhali, but he switches over to English now and then.

He may be ?shy? talking about his girlfriend or his marriage plans, but is straightforward.

He lost his cool while campaigning in the Jhilua village, when the villagers demanded donation for construction of a temple. ?I have a great faith in god, but I will never tolerate such things. If you don?t want to vote for me, do as you wish. I have no lust for power,? he shouted, his poll managers rushing by his side asking him to remain calm. He is still to understand the tricks of power politics.

Hemant has been active in the students? wing of his party for the last several years. He came into the media glare a few months ago, when he met the Prime Minister and handed over his father?s resignation letter over the Chirudih carnage.

Describing his father as a hard-task master in politics, he narrated how a few days ago, he went to bed at about 4 am. After three hours, a splash of water was on his face and his angry father shouted, ?Are you contesting election only to ruin my image? If you?ve decided to join politics, you should be available for the party workers everyday at 6 am without fail.?

Brushing off the Shibu tag as the reason for plunging into politics, he says, ?Politics is in my vein. I had organised the student wing of the JMM. I actively worked in my father?s campaigns. I never staked claims for the sitting seats. Because the Dumka Assembly seat was lying vacant after ?professor saheb?s? (Stephen Marandi) election to the Rajya Sabha, I applied for it. Was this a sin??

But in every public meeting he reminds the people of his father?s contribution to the state and the tribals.

Only time will tell if the young JMM contestant for the Dumka Assembly seat is going to win the trust and votes of the people.