BJP state president Babulal Marandi on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi where the two leaders discussed state's political affairs. Sources said that Marandi, the party state unit’s president, who has also been a chief minister of the state, is reportedly upset with former Chief Minister Champai Soren joining the BJP. He is set to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other BJP leaders too,
Sources said that the induction of former chief minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha rebel Champai Soren into the BJP has led to disappointment of Babulal Marandi, longtime BJP leader of the state, who has now come to Delhi to speak to the leadership.
However, before he took off for Delhi, Marandi told reporters that Soren is welcome to join the BJP. “If he is joining the party, we will welcome him. There’s no doubt about it,” he told reporters. On Monday, Assam chief minister and the party’s Jharkhand incharge and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted that Champai is to join BJP on August 30 along with his son.
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.
Sources said that though Marandi is upset with Champai joining BJP, most of the leaders have welcomed the JMM senior leader 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."
