Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren has confirmed his entry into the BJP, set to take place on August 30. The decision was finalized after a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has confirmed this in a post on X. There are now speculations that several senior JMM leaders might also accompany Champai Soren and join the BJP on the same day.
Himanta Biswa Sarma shared a post on X, featuring a photograph of Home Minister Amit Shah and Champai Soren. He wrote, "Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and our esteemed tribal leader Champai Soren recently met with the Honorable Union Home Minister Amit Shah. They will officially join the BJP in Ranchi on August 30."
Furthermore, there were previous speculations that Champai Soren might form his own party and contest the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections in alliance with the BJP. After resigning from JMM, he mentioned three options. He said, "I will not retire from politics. I had three options: retirement, organization, or a friend. I will not retire, I will strengthen the party, form a new party, and proceed if I find a good friend along the way."
Why is the BJP targeting Champai Soren?
Known as the Kolhan Tiger, Champai Soren was the senior-most tribal leader in the JMM after party patron Shibu Soren. When Hemant Soren decided to step down due to his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate, Champai Soren was made the Chief Minister instead of colleague Joba Majhi. However, after being released from Ranchi jail, Hemant Soren returned to the CM office on July 4. Champai Soren was included in the Jharkhand Cabinet as the new Education Minister, but this did not sit well with the 'Tiger of Kolhan.' Recently, he announced his decision to leave the party in a long post on X.
Champai Soren has a long history of influence in the Kolhan region, known as a leader of the working class, who fought for Jharkhand under Shibu Soren's leadership. He proudly claims to have helped over 10,000 local youth in the area secure jobs in Tata Group and other industrial establishments. It was due to the tribal-majority Kolhan region that JMM secured its victory in the 2019 Assembly elections. Despite the Modi and Ram Mandir waves, Hemant Soren's JMM won 11 out of 14 assembly seats in the region, with Congress taking two and an independent candidate winning one. These numbers recorded JMM's best electoral performance in Jharkhand's history, underscoring Champai Soren's importance to BJP in solidifying their hold in the area.
How powerful is the Kolhan Tiger?
Champai Soren, known as the Kolhan Tiger, belongs to Jharkhand’s influential Santhal tribe. According to the 2011 Census, Jharkhand's total population of 32,988,134 includes 8,645,042 tribals, with Santhal alone making up 2,754,723. Champai Soren is among the top leaders of the Santhal tribe and has a significant influence among other tribal communities too.
Champai Soren hails from the Kolhan region, which comprises districts like Seraikela, East Singhbhum, and West Singhbhum. These three districts hold 14 assembly seats. In the 2019 Jharkhand elections, the BJP failed to win any seats in this region. JMM won 11 seats, Congress two, and one went to an independent candidate.
Why did Champai Soren become a rebel?
Among the leaders who have been with Shibu Soren since the Jharkhand state movement, Champai Soren's stature in JMM and the Soren family is significant. Party president Hemant Soren has often been seen seeking blessings by touching Champai Soren's feet. Champai's close relationship with the Soren family was also a key reason behind his selection as Chief Minister when Hemant faced possible jail time, despite Shibu Soren's daughter-in-law Sita Soren being an MLA. However, this decision also became a source of discontent for Champai.
Champai Soren assumed leadership when Hemant Soren was arrested for corruption charges by the ED. Just before the arrest, Hemant had submitted his resignation to the Governor, following which a new government was formed under Champai's leadership. Champai detailed the reasons for his rebellion on X, arguing that he was humiliated and ousted from the Chief Minister's position. He claimed he wasn't informed about the agenda of the legislature party meeting, and all programs were canceled two days before. He was also forced to resign from the post of legislature party leader.
