30 August,2024 04:30 PM IST | Ranchi | mid-day online correspondent
Champai Soren with Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi and others during a ceremony as he joined BJP/PTI
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday, just two days after resigning from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). Soren cited dissatisfaction with JMM's current functioning and feeling "bitterly humiliated" as reasons for his departure.
At a ceremony where Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were present, Soren and his supporters officially joined the BJP. The 67-year-old politician appeared emotional as he was welcomed into the party.
Soren stated that his decision to join the BJP was reinforced after being put under surveillance by the Jharkhand government in Delhi and Kolkata. He expressed confidence that the BJP could protect tribal identity and address issues in Jharkhand's Santhal Pargana region.
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He accused the Congress of endangering tribal identity and pledged to deliver justice to the people. Soren criticised JMM, saying he was humiliated and compelled to switch to the BJP, which he now proudly supports.
Soren's move is seen as a significant gain for the BJP, particularly in strengthening ties with Scheduled Tribes, a traditional JMM support base. Known as 'Jharkhand's Tiger' for his role in the statehood movement, Soren had served as chief minister briefly in early 2023 before stepping down.
In his resignation letter to JMM supremo Shibu Soren, Champai Soren expressed deep regret over leaving the party, which he described as a family to him. He noted that recent events forced him to make this difficult decision, citing a deviation from the party's principles.
Prior to his switch, Soren had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss his decision. He had previously claimed that rampant infiltration from Bangladesh was threatening tribal existence in Santhal Pargana and harming the local community.
Soren, born on 11 November 1956 in Jharkhand's Seraikela-Kharsawan district, began his political career as an Independent MLA in 1991, later joining JMM and securing the Saraikela seat in subsequent elections.
Soren had previously said that he had contemplated retiring from politics after reportedly being snubbed by the JMM, however, the passion of his supporters and the general public encouraged him to stay. He had also briefly considered floating his own political party before announcing that he has chosen to join BJP.
"Today I had started a new chapter. Initially, I thought of taking retirement, but later witnessing the enthusiasm of workers and the public, I thought of being actively involved in politics. Later, I also thought of forming a new organization, but due to time constraints and the unique dynamics in Jharkhand, I decided to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after much contemplation," Champai Soren had previously said while announcing that he will be joining the saffron party.
With agency inputs
