Ex-Jharkhand CM Champai Soren leaves for Delhi amid speculations of him likely to join BJP

Once a close associate of JMM founder Shibu Soren, Champai Soren said he had experienced “bitter humiliation” as chief minister, which compelled him to seek an alternative path. His comment came shortly after he reached Delhi amid speculation about a potential switch to the BJP.

A close associate of the former CM said Champai Soren had left for the national capital from Kolkata and he was likely to meet Union home minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda before joining the saffron party.

“After so much humiliation, I was forced to look for an alternative path,” Champai Soren posted on X, about how he was “humiliated” after Hemant Soren was released from jail in June. He alleged all his government programmes in the first week of July were abruptly cancelled by the party leadership without his knowledge.

“When I enquired about the reasons for cancellation, I was informed that there was a meeting of party legislators on July 3 and that I could not attend any government programmes until then,” he said.
“Can there be anything more humiliating in a democracy than having a chief minister’s programme cancelled by another person?” he asked.

He also claimed that although the CM had the authority to call a meeting of the legislature party, he was not even informed of the meeting’s agenda.
“During the meeting, I was asked to resign. I was taken aback. Since I had no desire for power, I resigned immediately. However, my self-respect was deeply hurt,” Mr Soren said. He added he was emotional and struggling to control his tears.
“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 said, adding he faced many such humiliations, which he preferred not to detail at this time.

The former Jharkhand CM said he announced at the legislature party meeting: “A new chapter in my life is going to begin from today.” He added: “From that day until now, and through the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections, all options are open for me in this journey.” Champai Soren stressed that this was his personal battle and he does not intend to involve any party members or harm the organisation.

“I can never think of harming the party which we have nurtured with our blood and sweat. But circumstances have been created such that…” he added. He also said party supremo Shibu Soren was not active in politics due to health reasons. “Had he been active, things would have been different,” Champai Soren added in his post on X.

Meanwhile, amid ongoing speculation, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren on Sunday accused the saffron camp of “poaching” MLAs and “dividing society”. Addressing a government function in Jharkhand’s Godda district, Mr Hemant Soren alleged that the BJP brought people from Gujarat, Assam and Maharashtra to “spread poison among tribals, Dalits, backward classes and the minorities and make them fight with each other”.

“Forget about society, these people work to break families and parties. They poach MLAs. Money is such a thing that it doesn't take long for politicians to move here and there,” he said
The CM also said that Assembly elections in Jharkhand are due this year but the poll schedule would be “decided by the Opposition party in the state, not by the Election Commission”.

Reacting to the speculation about Champai Soren crossing over to the BJP, Congress leader from Jharkhand Ajoy Kumar said the ruling INDIA bloc in the state would not face any problem. “If Soren (Champai Soren) switches sides, it will create a fissure among BJP leaders in the state,” Mr Kumar said. “The ruling alliance will not have any problem as Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren will be the face of the INDIA bloc in the Assembly polls this year. But this will certainly create a fissure among BJP leaders,” the Congress leader said.

Mr Kumar also asked: “Where will senior BJP leaders and ex-CMs Babulal Marandi and Arjun Munda go if Champai Soren joins the saffron party? Maybe, the BJP leadership attempted to show the door to senior tribal leaders. The BJP had a habit of insulting their leaders.”
Champai Soren became the 12th CM of Jharkhand on February 2, soon after his predecessor Hemant Soren resigned just before being arrested by the ED in a money-laundering case. Hemant Soren was released from jail on June 28 after being granted bail by the high court. On July 3, he was elected as JMM legislature party leader and took over as chief minister.