Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi
Ranchi, Sep 6: Jharkhand minister and senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Sudivya Kumar died on Sunday following a heart attack, the party said. He was 56.
Kumar, who represented Giridih in the Jharkhand Assembly, held the Higher and Technical Education and Urban Development portfolios. He was also in charge of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and Sports and Youth Affairs.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed grief over Kumar’s death and described him as “Sonu Bhaiya”, saying he was more than a senior colleague and political associate.
Soren said Kumar was like an elder brother who remained affectionate, guiding and steadfastly supportive during difficult times. He also remembered Kumar as a dedicated JMM worker who devoted his life to protecting Jharkhand’s identity, rights and pride.
The JMM described Kumar’s death as an “irreparable loss” to the party, the state government and Jharkhand. The party expressed condolences to his family and prayed for peace for the departed soul. Kumar is survived by two daughters and a son.
Kumar was first elected to the Jharkhand Assembly from Giridih in 2019. A close aide of Soren, he played an important role in handling crises within the JMM, including during Soren’s arrest in 2024 in connection with an alleged land fraud and money laundering case.
Kumar had returned to Jharkhand earlier this week after leading a state government delegation to Karnataka to explore ways to strengthen tourism infrastructure management.
During the visit, the delegation met Karnataka Tourism Minister KJ George and discussed cooperation between the two states in tourism and forest management. Discussions were also held on associating Jungle Lodges & Resorts as a knowledge partner to improve the operation and management of tourism assets and resorts at major tourist destinations in Jharkhand.
Kumar’s sudden death has left the JMM and the Jharkhand government mourning the loss of a senior leader who handled several key portfolios and played a significant role in the party and state administration.