The BJP in its fight against illegal Bangladeshi intruders has found Champai Soren who will carry forward its crusade against illegal immigrants. Though Champai is yet to join BJP on September, but today after reaching Ranchi from national capital he made his intention clear.

Champai Soren on Wednesday asserted that his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party was taken in the interest of Jharkhand as he resigned from JMM membership and all party posts. Champai Soren had asserted that he is joining the BJP to save tribal identity and existence, which is at stake in the state’s Santhal Pargana region due to “rampant” infiltration from Bangladesh.

“Today, Bangladeshi infiltration has become a big problem in Santhal Pargana, the holy land of (freedom fighters) Baba Tilka Manjhi and Sido-Kanhu. What can be more unfortunate than the fact that these infiltrators are occupying the land of the descendants of those heroes who never accepted slavery from the British… the dignity of our mothers, sisters and daughters is in danger,” Champai Soren said in a post on X.

These intruders are causing economic and social harm to the local people, and if they are not stopped, the existence of “our society in Santhal Pargana will be in danger”, he said.

In many areas including Pakur and Rajmahal, the number of infiltrators has become more than that of tribals, Soren claimed. Soren further said that BJP is only serious over issue of tribals, while others are indulging in vote bank politics.

Champai’s remarks over Bangladeshi infiltrators assume importance as BJP leaders have been raising the continuous decline in the tribal population and the unexpected increase in the Muslim population in Santhal Pargana region was a “warning signal”.  Even Jharkhand High Court has directed the Hemant Soren-led JMM-Congress government to take immediate steps to identify the infiltrators and prepare an action plan to deport them.

Soren who met Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi earlier this week and announced joining the saffron party reached Ranchi on Wednesday along with his son and was greeted by a large number of his supporters.

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.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma earlier in the day alleged Soren had been under surveillance of his own government’s police for the last five months.

Two sub-inspectors (SIs) of 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.

Champai Soren had assumed office as the 12th chief minister of Jharkhand on February 2, shortly after his predecessor Hemant Soren resigned just before being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case.