(Source: ECI/ABP News/ABP Majha)
ABP Exclusive: Champai Soren Speaks On Why He Left Hemant's JMM Ahead Of Jharkhand Polls
Champai Soren said he is set to begin his new innings with the BJP on August 30 and took the decision to join the saffron camp after his meeting with Union Minister Amit Shah.
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren on Tuesday, who is set to join BJP later this week, opened up on his decision to join the saffron party and the reason behind leaving Hemant Soren's Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).
The former CM said he is set to begin his new innings with the BJP on August 30 and took the decision to join the saffron camp after his meeting with Union Minister Amit Shah.
Champai met Amit Shah late Monday night in New Delhi along with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Sarma, who is the BJP's co-incharge of Jharkhand assembly elections, scheduled to be held later this year, had first announced on Monday that Champai Soren will join the BJP.
Speaking on his resignation from the CM's chair, Soren said, "My situation is such that I was given to drive a car and suddenly in the middle of the way, I was asked to hand back the keys. I was not even given the time to park it in the parking lot."
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. pic.twitter.com/OOAhpgrvmu
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 26, 2024
Champai Soren said that he has given his blood and sweat for the party, but he was not given respect in the party.
"There are ups and downs in political career. I helped the organization with blood and sweat but I was not given respect. All of my programs were cancelled for the change of leadership. It was done forcefully. I remained silent, but my heart ached," he said.
He further said that former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren has been ideal for him, but now he is old and unable to speak. "That's why I was unable to speak my heart out to anyone. I posted (on X) what was in my mind," Champai said.
He said that he was informed that there would be changes in the leadership and he would be passing the proposal.
"But it was done forcibly. Then they behaved with me as if I will run away," he added.
Soren had accused its leadership of insulting him and earlier announced of floating a new political party ahead of the assembly elections in Jharkhand.
Speaking of the BJP, Champai said he has faith in PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and I got the confidence that I would be able to save the existence of the tribals in Jharkhand.
"I have come to BJP with the issue of Jharkhand," he added.
"I brainstormed. The JMM and the BJP have earlier run the government in Jharkhand together. This is not new. In politics, one has to change according to the situation. BJP is our new ally," he added.
He further said the BJP is the largest party in the country and it is for the party to decide whether it gives him the responsibility of the entire state or Kolhan region.
He was chosen as the Jharkhand Chief Minister after Hemant Soren was arrested by the ED. However, after Hemant was released from jail, he was sworn in as the Chief Minister for the third time. Champai Soren, a longstanding JMM loyalist, was abruptly stepped aside to facilitate this transition.