Shibu Soren, who returned to the Union Council of Ministers, is widely regarded as the doyen of the movement for creation of Jharkhand state.
But, Soren's chequered political career has its share of controversies. He became embroiled in a number of criminal cases, among them the Chirudi murder case in Jamtara in 1975, which, cost him the portfolio of Union Coal Minister in the Manmohan Singh Government.
He was also embroiled in JMM bribery case during the PV Narasimha Rao regime at the Centre for which he was acquitted.
Soren became the Chief Minister of Jharkhand for a brief period last year after his controversial swearing in, which had triggered widespread protests by BJP and JD(U), which had boycotted the oath-taking ceremony for not being invited despite emerging as the "largest" pre-poll grouping.
He founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, a major political party in the state, in 1972 and became its general secretary. Fifteen years later he took over as its president, a post he continues to hold.
Known among his followers as 'Guruji', he had struggled with some other political parties for Jharkhand statehood and had served as the chairman of Jharkhand Autonomous Council.
His first foray into parliamentatry politics was in 1980 when he was elected to Parliament from Dumka. In 1985, he was elected to the then Bihar assembly from Jama.
{{/usCountry}}His first foray into parliamentatry politics was in 1980 when he was elected to Parliament from Dumka. In 1985, he was elected to the then Bihar assembly from Jama.
{{/usCountry}}The former Chief Minister was born into a Santhal school teacher's family at Nemra village under Gola police station in Hazaribagh district in 1944.