Patna (Bihar) [India], August 4 (ANI): RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Monday mourned the death of JMM founder and former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren, calling him a towering leader of Dalits and tribals. Yadav, recalling his close ties with Soren, said, 'It is a great loss for politics,' and prayed for peace to the departed soul.

Speaking to reporters, RLD leader Yadav said, 'Shibu Soren has passed away. He was a great leader of Dalits and tribals, and I had good relations with him. I feel sad. May his soul rest in peace... It is a great loss for politics.'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the demise of former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and leader of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Shibu Soren.

PM Modi remembered Shibu Soren's work for empowering tribal communities and the poor.

Sharing an X post, PM Modi wrote, 'Shri Shibu Soren Ji was a grassroots leader who rose through the ranks of public life with unwavering dedication to the people. He was particularly passionate about empowering tribal communities, the poor and downtrodden. Pained by his passing away.'

The Prime Minister spoke to Shibu Soren's son and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and expressed condolences.

'My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Spoke to Jharkhand CM Shri Hemant Soren Ji and expressed condolences. Om Shanti,' the X post read.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Minister Dipika Pandey Singh said the state mourns 'Dishom Guru' Shibu Soren, a guiding force.

'I think there is mourning across the state. 'Dishom Guru' Shibu Soren is not just a name but a movement. I think his legacy will always live through our ideas, our work. I pay him tribute and pray to God to provide strength to his family to bear this loss. You cannot even imagine Jharkhand without his name. But we can understand what it means to lose a father,' she said.

Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and leader of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Shibu Soren, passed away after a prolonged illness at the age of 81 on Monday morning in New Delhi.

Jharkhand Chief Minister and his son Hemant Soren confirmed the demise of the leader in a post on X.

'Respected Dishom Guruji has left us all. Today, I am devastated,' Hemant Soren said.

According to the Sri Ganga Ram Hospital in the national capital, where the former Chief Minister was admitted, Shibu Soren was suffering from a kidney ailment. He had suffered a stroke one and a half months ago. He was on life support for the past month.

BJP leader Nishikant Dubey, expressing grief over the demise of the leader, said, 'An era has ended, may God grant you and your entire family the strength to bear this sorrow. Respected Shibu Soren ji made a significant contribution to the growth of JMM.'

Shibu Soren led the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha for 38 years and is known as the founding patron of the party. He was the third Chief Minister of Jharkhand.

Over a four-decade career in politics, Soren was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times and served as a Rajya Sabha MP for two terms. (ANI)