Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren is joining the BJP in Ranchi on August 30 (Friday), Assam Chief Minister and Jharkhand In-charge (Assembly Elections) Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Monday night X.
The announcement comes days after a rebel JMM leader wrote on social media that he was “humiliated” during the transfer of power in Jharkhand in July, when party chief Hemant Soren made Champai the chief minister. As was changed, and they are thinking about the next action.
The Assam Chief Minister shared a picture of Champai sitting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and wrote: “Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a prominent adivasi leader of our country Champai Soranji after a while Union Home Minister Amit Shahji. He will first formally join BJP 4 India on August 30 in Ranchi.
Reacting to the picture of the meeting with Champai, sources from CM Hemant Soren's camp said: “This is big news for us as Champai Soren has now been exposed. It would have been difficult for us if he had been elected independently. would fight, because they would get more votes than JMM.
Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a prominent Adivasi leader of our country, @ChampaiSoren Ji met the Union Home Minister. @AmitShah Yes, a little while ago. They will officially join it. @BJP4India On August 30 in Ranchi pic.twitter.com/OOAhpgrvmu
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 26, 2024
Champai became Jharkhand's 12th chief minister in February this year after Hemant Soren resigned hours before he was arrested in an alleged money laundering case. After Hemant was released on bail in June, tension began to rise in both the Champai and Hemant camps and a drama unfolded during a meeting of coalition MLAs. According to sources, unhappy at being bypassed despite being the chief minister, Champai protested in the meeting about the cancellation of various programs not missing. Champai broke down in the meeting and had to be consoled by a senior Congress leader, sources said.
A week later, on 3 July, Champai resigned from the post to allow Hemant to take over as chief minister again.
Champai again hit the headlines on August 17 after his movement was discovered in Kolkata late at night. Sources said that he had come there to meet BJP leaders.
Champai reached New Delhi on 18 August. When asked by reporters if he met BJP's Subindu Adhikari in Kolkata, he denied it and said he was in the city on “some personal business”. On the possibility of his defection to the BJP, Champai told reporters: We will stay where we are (I will stay where I am).
Late on August 18, he wrote to X that he was “humiliated” and was considering his next course of action – whether to retire, join another party or start his own party.
On August 21, Champai met his supporters in Saraikela Kharsavan district of Jharkhand when he arrived from New Delhi via Kolkata. Dispelling rumors of his retirement, Champai said, “Initially I thought I would retire, but on my way back from Kolkata, I met many of my supporters who gathered at various places in Jharkhand. were, who supported my cause, he changed my mind, now I will form my own party and if I meet friends along the way, I will join them.
Click here to join The Indian Express on WhatsApp and get latest news and updates.