The political scene in Jharkhand is once again in turmoil. JMM leader and former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Champai Soren, has sparked many speculations after his arrival in Delhi on Sunday. Meanwhile, Champai Soren has removed the name of his party, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, from his social media platform X bio. His new bio simply reads Former Jharkhand CM.
Source: aajtak
According to PTI sources, amidst speculations of Champai Soren joining the BJP, he headed to Delhi. A close associate of Soren claimed that the former Chief Minister left for the national capital from Kolkata on Sunday.
Immediately upon arriving in Delhi, Champai Soren stated that he did not meet any BJP leader and that his visit to the national capital is for "personal" reasons.
It’s important to note that some media reports on Friday speculated that Champai Soren might join the BJP before the Jharkhand assembly elections. However, on Saturday, Soren said he had no knowledge of such speculations.
Before leaving for Jamshedpur, he told reporters, "I am not aware of such speculations and reports... I am right where I am."
Source: aajtak
When BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition Amar Bauri was asked about the speculations of Champai Soren joining the BJP, he said, "I have no official confirmation; I am only getting information through the media."
What Did Congress Say About The Speculations Regarding Champai Soren?
Meanwhile, Congress leader Ajay Kumar claimed that even if JMM senior leader Champai Soren joins the BJP, the ruling party in the state will not be troubled. He said that if Soren changes sides, it will create a rift among BJP leaders in the state. Responding to a question about the speculations regarding Champai Soren, the Congress leader said that Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren will be the face of the party in this year's legislative assembly elections, but it will definitely create a divide among BJP leaders.
Ajay Kumar also questioned where senior BJP leaders and former Chief Ministers Babulal Marandi and Arjun Munda would go if Champai Soren joins the BJP? He suggested that BJP leadership might be attempting to sideline senior tribal leaders, and accused the BJP of having a habit of disrespecting its leaders.
Who is Champai Soren?
It should be noted that Champai Soren resigned from the Chief Minister's post in Jharkhand last July. Following his resignation, former CM Hemant Soren staked a claim to form the government, and once again became the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Champai Soren served as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand from 2nd February 2024 to 3rd July 2024. He is a seven-time MLA and has been representing the Saraikela assembly constituency continuously since 2005. He was first elected as an MLA from the Saraikela seat in 1991. Hemant Soren also appointed Champai Soren as a cabinet minister in 2019, entrusting him with the departments of Transport, Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, and Backward Classes Welfare.
