Senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader and six-time MLA Champai Soren took the oath of office and secrecy on Friday, becoming the 12th Chief Minister of Jharkhand. In a simple ceremony at the Darbar Hall of Raj Bhawan on Friday, Governor CP Radhakrishnan administered the oath to Champai Soren and two ministers — Congress Legislature Party leader in the State Alamgir Alam and the lone MLA of Rashtriya Janata Dal, Satyanand Bhokta.

The swearing-in ceremony followed 40 hours of political uncertainty in the State, as the former Chief Minister was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate after resigning from his post. There was no government in the State between Wednesday at 8 pm and Friday at 12.15 pm.

According to sources, there were discussions about the possibility of former CM Hemant Soren’s brother, Basant Soren, being sworn in as a Minister, but the decision could not be finalised until the last moment.

Immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Minister Champai Soren and two ministers visited Sido Kanhu Park, where they paid tributes to the martyrs of Santhal Pargana.

Soren, along with the ministers, also went to Birsa Chowk to pay respects to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, offering flowers at his statue.

Later in the day, the Champai Soren Cabinet held its first Cabinet meeting. During the meeting, a decision was made to convene a special session of the Assembly on February 5 and 6. The government will undergo a floor test during this session.

Notably, Champai Soren has submitted a signed letter of support from 43 MLAs to the Governor to claim a majority in the House. The ruling coalition asserts having the support of 48 MLAs in the 81-member Assembly.

Meanwhile, 37 members of the JMM-Congress-RJD combine were transported to Hyderabad in two chartered flights today. The legislators stated that this move was aimed at avoiding attempts of horse-trading by the opposition. The MLAs are scheduled to return to Ranchi on February 4, a day before the floor test.

Popularly known as the ‘Jharkhand Tiger,’ Champai Soren is one of the senior leaders of his party. Soren also holds the position of Vice President of JMM. He hails from a farmer’s family in Seraikela-Kharsawan district of the State. A long-time associate of Shibu Soren in the Jharkhand movement, Champai was born on September 15, 1978, in Dumka, Jharkhand. He completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Sido Kanhu Murmu University, Dumka, and is married to Manko Soren. Champai has four sons and three daughters.

Though starting his career as an independent MLA in a bye-election from Seraikela seat, Champai Soren joined Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in the later stage. He was given a cabinet minister’s post in the Arjun Munda led government. He also held the post of the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies and Transport in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha government led by Hemant Soren.  In 2019, Champai Soren was made the Minister of Transport, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes Welfare.