In a significant political development, Champai Soren, a prominent tribal leader and former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, is set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on August 30. This news was confirmed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who took to social media to announce Soren's upcoming induction into the party.
"Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a distinguished Adivasi leader of our country, Champai Soren Ji met Hon’ble Union Home Minister Amit Shah Ji a short while ago. He will officially join the BJP on 30th August in Ranchi," tweeted Sarma.
The decision by Soren to join the BJP comes at a time when the party is actively strengthening its base in Jharkhand, a state with a significant tribal population. His inclusion in the BJP is seen as a strategic move, likely to bolster the party's influence among the tribal communities ahead of the upcoming elections.
The development comes in a u-turn for Soren, who last week announced to float a new party. However, the BJP leaders and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma were keen on inducting the tribal leader into the saffron fold. Champai Soren was upset with the JMM after Hemant Soren removed to take back the Chief Minister's chair after getting bail in the alleged land scam case. Hemant made Champai the Chief Minister of Jharkhand in January this year after getting arrested in the case. However, last month, he took the reign of the state in his hand once again after getting a bail in the case.
Champai met union home minister Amit Shah late Monday night in New Delhi along with Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the saffron party's co-incharge of Jharkhand assembly elections, scheduled to be held in November-December.
After meeting Home Minister Amit Shah, Champai Soren said that his son will also join BJP with him. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren said, "Earlier I thought that I would retire. Then I thought that I would form a new organization but time is still short for this. After a lot of brainstorming, my faith in Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah has increased and we have decided to join the BJP. My son will also join me in the BJP."
Here, after the announcement of Champai joining BJP, Leader of Opposition Amar Bauri said that Champai Soren is welcome in the Bharatiya Janata Party family. Bauri said, "Johar to Jharkhand agitator, Hanuman of respected Shibu Soren ji, the most senior leader of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, former Chief Minister Champai Soren ji! Jharkhand Mukti Morcha betrayed the people of Jharkhand, did not spare even its own people. You have made a decision as per the expectations of the people."
