Jharkhand: Champai Soren Set To Join BJP Today, Hemant To Replace Him With Santhal Face In Cabinet

Former Jharkhand CM Champai Soren resigned from JMM and will join BJP today. Despite JMM's claims of "operation lotus," Soren defended his decision.

Champai Soren took oath as Jharkhand CM on February 2, shortly after Hemant Soren resigned (File Image: PTI)

Source : PTI

Ranchi News: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren is set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday (August 29) after he resigned from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). After quitting, Soren said JMM’s “present style of functioning and policies” forced him to leave the party he served for many years. JMM, however, had claimed the former CM was trapped in ‘operation lotus’, a term indicating an attempt to topple governments in states ruled by non-BJP parties.

A day ahead of his joining on Thursday, Champai defended his move and said he is taking the step after a "lot of deliberations". "From there (BJP), I will protect the existence of tribals. Their population is declining, I will raise my voice regarding that. I will join the BJP tomorrow. After that, I will shoulder all the responsibilities that will be given to me," he told news agency ANI.

Champai Soren's son Babulal Soren also defended his father's move and said JMM failed to give respect to them and now BJP embraced them in a dignified manner. 

Champai Soren's Resignation

Champai Soren took oath as Jharkhand CM on February 2, shortly after Hemant Soren resigned from the post before being arrested by the ED in a money laundering case. Champai quit the post and Hemant took oath as the CM again in July, after he was released on bail.

In a letter to party supremo Shibu Soren, the senior tribal leader said he was forced to quit after being aggrieved by the present style of functioning of the JMM and its policies.

"I have never ever imagined in my dreams that I would quit JMM, a party which is like a family to me... The turn of events of the past forced me to take this decision with much pain...I am pained to say that the party has deviated from its principle," he said in the letter.

He lamented that there is no forum in the party left to express one's pain and "you (Shibu Soren) are not active in politics due to ill health but you will continue to be my guide...".

Champai Soren To Be Replaced By Santhal Face In Cabinet

A legislator from Saraikela Kharsawan, Soren has also resigned as an MLA of the state assembly and a minister in the Jharkhand Cabinet. JMM legislator from Ghatshila, Ramdas Soren, is likely to replace him in the Jharkhand cabinet, an official said on Thursday. 

A Santhal leader, Ramdas Soren is the second most senior leader of JMM in the Kolhan region comprising the industrial belt of Singhbhum.

BJP Vs JMM On Snooping Allegation 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma earlier in the day alleged that Champai Soren had been under surveillance of his own government's police for the last five months. Two sub-inspectors (SIs) of the Special Branch of Jharkhand Police were caught by Soren's people in a Delhi hotel while they were keeping watch on the ex-chief minister, Sarma claimed, as per a report by PTI.

The JMM, however, asserted that the two police officials were deputed for the security of Soren and were soon released after being detained. Demanding an apology from saffron party leaders, the JMM in a statement said, "We will give a befitting reply to BJP soon and thwart any attempt by it to grab power here."

Asked about the allegation that he is under "surveillance", the former CM said he is not afraid of any situation and indicated that he will resign from JMM and as minister later on Wednesday. Soren said he is not afraid of any conspiracy against him.

He said that he does not think it proper to reply to the allegation that he was trapped in ‘operation lotus’, a term indicating an attempt to topple governments in states ruled by non-BJP parties.