Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren Joins BJP Ahead Of Elections

Former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Ranchi, just ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Soren, along with numerous supporters, was welcomed into the BJP by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during a ceremony.

"I was embarrassed, and that's why I had decided to retire (from politics). However, because of love and support of people of Jharkhand, I decided to not to retire from politics. I have seen the struggle during the 'Jharkhand andolan'," Soren said after joining the BJP.

Champai Soren's Political Journey

Champai Soren served as chief minister when Hemant Soren had to resign before his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 31. Champai held the position until Hemant was granted bail on June 28, after which he stepped down for the JMM working president.

Soren's decision to join BJP is seen as a strategic move for the party aiming to strengthen its presence in Jharkhand's tribal regions. Scheduled Tribes constitute about 26 per cent of the state's electorate, making this a significant development for BJP.

Reasons Behind His Departure

"After so much humiliation, I was forced to look for an alternative path...Can there be anything more humiliating in a democracy than having a chief minister's programme cancelled by another person? During the meeting (legislative party meeting on July 3), I was asked to resign," Champai Soren had said.

Soren expressed his discontent with his former party, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), stating that it had strayed from its principles. In his resignation letter to JMM founder Shibu Soren, he wrote, "I have never ever imagined in my dreams that I would quit JMM, a party which is like a family to me... The turn of events of the past forced me to take this decision with much pain...I am pained to say that the party has deviated from its principle."

Impact on Jharkhand Politics

"But all he (referring to Chief Minister Hemant Soren without naming him) seemed interested in was the chair. I felt as though I had no existence, no presence in the party to which I had dedicated my entire life," he added.

Soren mentioned considering launching a new party or joining another one but ultimately chose BJP to continue serving Jharkhand's people. His induction into BJP is expected to boost the party's efforts in establishing a stronger foothold in Jharkhand's tribal belt.

The move marks a significant shift in Jharkhand's political landscape as Champai Soren brings with him years of experience and a substantial support base. This development could influence voter sentiment ahead of the assembly elections.