Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao, better known as KTR, have both condoled the death of Rupi Soren, the mother of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
Rupi Soren, wife of late Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, died at a private hospital in Ranchi on Wednesday evening.
She had been sent to hospital after having trouble breathing on September 18. Her condition deteriorated and she was put on ventilator support.
Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences to Hemant Soren and his family in a post on X. He described the news of Rupi Soren’s death as deeply saddening and expressed his deepest condolences to the family during the difficult period.
KTR also expressed his sorrow over the death. In his post on X, he called Hemant Soren “Hemant Bhai” and expressed his deepest condolences to him and his family. He wished for Rupi Soren's soul to rest in eternal peace and said his thoughts and prayers were with the family.
The death of Rupi Soren has brought condolences from political leaders in different parties. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das, BJP leader Babulal Marandi, Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, and other political figures also expressed grief over her death.
Rupi Soren was the JMM’s symbol of struggle, sacrifice and patience. She had stood by Shibu Soren during his political journey and struggles associated with the Jharkhand movement, the party said. Her death is an irreparable loss for Jharkhand and the country.
Hemant Soren also paid tribute to his mother. In a post on X, he mentioned how important she was in his life and said, after his father’s death, his mother had become his greatest source of support.
Rupi Soren was also associated with public life. She fought the Dumka Lok Sabha election in 1999, when the constituency was part of undivided Bihar, and was defeated by a small margin by the BJP leader Babulal Marandi. She stayed away from electoral politics and spent much of her time caring for her husband.
Earlier this year, Rupi Soren represented her late husband at the ceremony where Shibu Soren was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan. President Droupadi Murmu personally presented her with the honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Rupi Soren’s mortal remains were brought to Hemant Soren’s residence in Morabadi, Ranchi, where political leaders, party workers and well-wishers gathered to pay their respects.
Her death comes close to a year after Shibu Soren’s death, another huge personal loss for the Soren family and the JMM. Political leaders from all sides of the spectrum have offered condolences to Hemant Soren, his family and his supporters during the mourning period.
