Rabindra Nath Mahato Poised for Re-election as Jharkhand Assembly Speaker
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Ranchi, Dec 9 (NationPress) Rabindra Nath Mahato is on the verge of making history as he gears up to take on the role of Speaker of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly for a second consecutive term. The state's ruling coalition has officially nominated him for this esteemed position. During a media briefing at the Assembly premises on Monday, Chief Minister Hemant Soren put forth Mahato's name.
Soren expressed optimism about Mahato’s unanimous re-election.
The election for the Speaker's office is slated for December 10 amid the ongoing special session of the Assembly. At 65, Mahato represents the Nala assembly seat from the Santhal Pargana division, marking his third consecutive win in this constituency.
He is also set to become the first member of the Jharkhand Assembly to hold the Speaker's position for a second term.
Mahato’s potential re-election is particularly noteworthy, as he has shattered a long-held belief in Jharkhand politics that no Speaker has ever been re-elected while in office.
Mahato first claimed the Nala seat in 2005 but faced defeat in the 2009 elections. He made a remarkable comeback in 2014 and has maintained his winning streak as a candidate of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in the subsequent 2019 and 2024 elections.
Born on January 12, 1960, in Patanpur village under the Bindapathar police station area of Jamtara district, Mahato comes from modest beginnings. His father, Golak Bihari Mahato, was a primary school teacher and passed away just two days ago.
A science graduate from Bhagalpur University, Bihar (1982), Mahato's life epitomizes simplicity and integrity. His affidavit submitted to the Election Commission reveals total declared assets of Rs 97.56 lakh, while his income tax return for 2024-25 shows an annual income of Rs 10.57 lakh.
Remarkably, Mahato has a clean slate, with no criminal charges against him.
Earlier on Monday, the inaugural session of the newly constituted sixth Jharkhand Assembly commenced with Protem Speaker Stephen Marandi leading the proceedings by reading the Governor's message, signaling the formation of the new House.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren was the first to take the oath as the representative from the Barhait constituency. Other ministers who took their oaths included Radha Krishna Kishore, Deepak Birua, and Ramdas Soren, among others.
