He served as chief minister of Jharkhand three times — in March 2005 (for just 10 days from 2-11 March), 27 August 2008 to 12 January 2009, and from 30 December 2009 to 31 May 2010.

Each term was short-lived due to the fragile nature of coalition politics in the state.

In June 2007, Soren survived an assassination attempt when bombs were hurled at his convoy near Dumaria village in Deoghar district while he was being escorted to jail in Dumka, after appearing in a court in Giridih, underlining the high stakes and volatile environment surrounding his political life.

Yet, his political dominance in Jharkhand politics endured, both through his personal appeal and through his party, which he continues to lead as founding patron.

Soren served as the JMM’s chief for 38 years until April 2025, when he was made the party’s founding patron. His son, Hemant Soren, who had served as executive president, was elected JMM president.

The party is currently a member of the opposition INDIA bloc at the national level.

Shibu Soren’s personal life has also been closely tied to his political narrative.

He is survived by wife Roopi Soren, three sons and daughter Anjani, who is the party’s Odisha unit head.

His elder son Durga Soren died in May 2009.

The other son Hemant Soren, has carried forward the family’s political legacy and currently serves as the chief minister of Jharkhand, having held the position across multiple terms.

His youngest son Basant Soren is a legislator.

For many in Jharkhand, Shibu Soren remains a symbol of their long-fought struggle for identity and self-rule — a legacy that continues through the next generation.