Former Chief Minister and JMM leader Champai Soren reached Delhi today for the second time within the past fortnight amidst speculation that he is likely to join BJP. Soren left for New Delhi from Kolkata by an IndiGo flight 6E 6004 at 8:11 am to meet senior BJP leaders in the national capital.
This is Soren’s second visit since last Tuesday. Between the two trips to New Delhi, Soren went to 14 assembly constituencies of the Kolhan region in Jharkhand to meet his supporters and to discuss strategy with party workers. In an earlier conversation with journalists, he hinted that he may launch a new political party. However, Champai Soren has yet to resign from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha or the ministerial posts he holds in the state government led by Hemant Soren.
Speculation is rife within state political circles whether the former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren will join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or form a separate political outfit ahead of Assembly election in State.
In recent weeks, speculation has been rife that the 68-year-old Champai Soren and some of his supporters, who are angry with the JMM, plan to explore opportunities outside.
Champai Soren served as the seventh Chief Minister of Jharkhand from February to July 2024 while Hemant Soren was under arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on allegations of money laundering. He's been elected to the legislative assembly in every election since 2005.
The talks of Champai joining BJP gains strength after Assam's Chief Minister and BJP's Jharkhand in-charge, Himanta Biswa Sarma, said on Monday that former Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Champai Soren, along with Jharkhand's current Chief Minister Hemant Soren, should join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He highlighted that Jharkhand's most pressing issue is the influx of intruders and affirmed BJP's willingness to discuss this matter with Hemant Soren.
I want Champai Soren to join the BJP and give us strength but he is a big leader, I don't think it is right to comment on him...I want Hemant Soren to also join the BJP. BJP means patriotism...We are also ready to talk to Hemant Soren ji to stop intruders in Jharkhand. We have to save Jharkhand...For us, the country comes first...Today the biggest problem facing Jharkhand is the intruders...Our party's only aim is that you fulfil the promises you made during the elections and free Jharkhand from intruders...We have only these 2 demands..." The Assam CM told the media.
Last week Champai visited Delhi fuelling speculation that he will join BJP, however hours later he rejected media reports claiming that he had met senior BJP leaders in Delhi. After camping for three days in the capital, Soren returned to his constituency, Saraikela, via Kolkata on Wednesday evening.
Speculations that he might join the BJP grew stronger after he expressed his anguish in a social media post while in Delhi, stating that he was “humiliated and ridiculed” in the JMM. Champai further added that a new chapter of his life was about to start, and he has kept all options open for him.
He, however, wrote in his post that he had no intention of causing any damage to the organisation. “We can never even think of harming the party, which we have nurtured with our blood and sweat,” the former CM said.
Speaking to media persons at the Delhi airport before leaving for Jharkhand, Soren said that he had not met any BJP leader as he was on a personal trip. “I did not meet anyone. I came here (Delhi) for some personal work,” he said.
On speculation about joining the BJP, Champai said, “I cannot understand who is spreading all this.”
