Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand Champai Soren is all set to join the BJP Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday. This announcement was made by Himanta Biswa Sarma in a post on X, calling him as a “distinguished adivasi leader.”
Last week, 67-year-old Champai, who had to resign as CM to make way for Hemant Soren upon his release from jail, accused party leadership of insulting him. He said that he would soon decide on his next political course.
Veteran leader Champai Soren, widely known among party workers as the “Jharkhand Tiger” for his pivotal role in the creation of Jharkhand in the 1990s, has announced he will not retire from politics. He emphasized that starting a new political party remains an option for him.
Despite speculation about a major political shift, Mr. Soren recently declared, “hum jahan par hain vahi par hain” (I am where I am). His visit to Delhi two weeks ago, which he described as being for personal reasons, only fueled further rumors. The BJP has been cautious, referring to him as a “senior leader” and acknowledging his contributions as Jharkhand’s Chief Minister.
Earlier today, Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP’s election in-charge for Jharkhand, expressed a desire for Champai Soren to join the BJP and bolster the party’s position. The deal was confirmed a few hours later when Sarma posted a photo of Soren meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah and announced Soren’s official induction into the BJP.
“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,” Sarma wrote.
Champai Soren, who served as Jharkhand’s 12th Chief Minister, took office on February 2 this year. He resigned from the position on July 3, just a day before Hemant Soren, the JMM executive president, assumed the role of the 13th Chief Minister of Jharkhand on July 4.
Days after resigning, Mr Soren said he would have done more to develop the state had he had some more time.
