In a significant political shift for Jharkhand, Champai Soren, a senior leader of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and a former chief minister, is preparing to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to sources familiar with the matter.
Champai met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday night in New Delhi. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is co-incharge of the upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections, was also present at the meeting. These elections are scheduled to take place in November-December.
Official Announcement by Assam CM Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam CM Sarma announced that Champai Soren would officially join the BJP on August 30 in Ranchi. Sarma confirmed this in a social media post, stating, “Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a distinguished Adivasi leader of our country, @ChampaiSoren Ji met Hon’ble Union Home Minister @AmitShah Ji a short while ago. He will officially join the @BJP4India on 30th August in Ranchi.”
Hints of Political Shift
Sarma had previously hinted at the political switch, revealing to reporters in Ranchi that he had been in contact with Champai for months, though not for political reasons at first. He added, “I want Champai Soren to join BJP. Now that he is in Delhi… let’s see… I feel now the time has come for having some political talks with him.”
Despite Champai’s decision to switch allegiances, he remains a minister in Hemant Soren’s cabinet and has yet to formally resign from both the JMM and his position in the government.
Champai’s Discontent with JMM Leadership
Champai Soren, who served as Jharkhand’s chief minister for a brief five months in 2005, recently voiced his dissatisfaction with his party. On August 20, he expressed his disappointment on social media, revealing that he felt sidelined by the JMM leadership. He claimed that he was removed from his chief ministerial position without prior notice, and many of his planned events were canceled without informing him.
After returning to Seraikela from Delhi on August 23, Champai began touring the assembly constituencies of Kharsawan, Chaibasa, and Seraikela in the Kolhan division, a region where he has a strong influence.
Champai Soren, a six-time MLA, has represented the Seraikela constituency since 1991, initially winning as an Independent in 1995. His shift to the BJP is expected to have considerable implications in the upcoming assembly elections, particularly in the Kolhan division.