Champai Soren To Join BJP? Rumour Mills Buzzing As Former Jharkhand CM Lands In Delhi

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Champai Soren has reached Delhi, sparking intense political speculation about a possible switch to the BJP.

The visit, amid the run-up to the Jharkhand assembly elections later this year, has set off a wave of rumors regarding his political future.

Photo Credit: PTI

According to sources, Soren recently met with BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata, adding fuel to the speculation.

He is accompanied by four other JMM leaders on this visit to the national capital.

Despite the buzz, Soren has publicly dismissed the rumors, stating, "I don't know anything about such speculations and reports... I am where I am." He further added that he's in Delhi for some "personal work".

Soren briefly served as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand after Hemant Soren's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case in February this year.

His tenure was short-lived, as he resigned in July, allowing Hemant Soren to return to office.

The timing of Soren's visit to Delhi, particularly with scheduled meetings with BJP leaders, has intensified speculation.

His recent meeting with former JMM legislator Lobin Hembrom, who has also been in contact with BJP leaders, has added to the intrigue. Soren, however, downplayed this meeting, calling it a routine discussion. Hembrom was recently disqualified as a JMM MLA under the anti-defection law.

BJP leaders have been cautious in their public statements. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, when asked about Soren potentially joining the BJP, said, "No one is in touch with us yet. I am also hearing these reports from the channels. Champai Soren is a very senior leader, I do not want to make any informal comment about him."

Former Jharkhand BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash echoed this sentiment, noting that any decision regarding Soren's inclusion in the party would be made by the central leadership: "I have heard this in reports only. I don't have any authentic information... He was serving Jharkhand as a good CM... Everything depends on the central leadership."