New Delhi/IBNS: Shibu Soren worked towards the empowerment of "tribal communities, the poor and downtrodden", said Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourning the former Jharkhand Chief Minister's demise.

The Prime Minister wrote on X, "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.

"My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Spoke to Jharkhand CM Shri Hemant Soren Ji and expressed condolences. Om Shanti."

Soren, the founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), died at a Delhi hospital at the age of 81.

The news has been confirmed by Shibu Soren's son and current Jharkhand CM, Hemant Soren.

Shibu Soren, who was the Rajya Sabha MP, remained the third CM of Jharkhand.

In his first term, Shibu Soren remained the CM for 10 days in 2005, then from 2008-2009 and finally 2009-2010.

Shibu Soren, who was elected to Lok Sabha from the Dumka constituency, had remained the country's Coal Minister.

In 2006, Shibu Soren was convicted in the kidnapping and murder of his personal secretary Shashinath Jha.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment in the case that dated back to 1994.

However, the Delhi High Court in 2007 overruled the district court verdict and acquitted the former CM.