Ranchi. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Kalpana Soren, wife of jailed former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, defeated her nearest rival Dilip Kumar Verma of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by 27,149 votes in the Gandey assembly by-election. Officials gave this information. The seat fell vacant after the resignation of JMM MLA Sarfaraz Ahmed.
After winning, Kalpana Soren said, “I thank the people wholeheartedly for their immense support… I express my gratitude to Disom Guru Shibu Soren ji (JMM chief), Hemant ji… I will work tirelessly for the people. This (victory) shows the unity of the ‘India’ alliance.” Voting took place on May 20 and out of 3.16 lakh voters, 2.17 lakh exercised their franchise.