Last Updated on 19/08/2024 by Arun jain
Champai Soren, former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and one of the senior leaders of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), has made it clear that he is leaving the party. Champai has definitely hinted at options on the future plan but has not said anything clearly. Jharkhand assembly elections are to be held in a few months and in such a situation, there is also speculation about him joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Amidst speculations, there is also talk about how powerful is Kolhan Tiger Champai in Jharkhand politics and how strong is his hold on the ground?
How powerful is the Kolhan Tiger?
Kolhan Tiger Champai Soren belongs to the influential Santhal tribe of Jharkhand. According to the 2011 census, the tribal population in Jharkhand is 86 lakh 45 thousand 42 people out of the total population of 3 crore 29 lakh 88 thousand 134. In this too, the Santhal population alone is 27 lakh 54 thousand 723 lakh. Champai Soren is counted among the top leaders of the Santhal tribe. Champai, who played an active role in the movement demanding Jharkhand state, is also considered to have a strong influence among the people of other tribes.
The Kolhan region from which Champai Soren comes includes districts like Saraikela, East Singhbhum and West Singhbhum. There are 14 assembly seats in these three districts. In the 2019 Jharkhand elections, BJP could not even open its account in this region. JMM won 11 seats in this region, while Congress won two seats and an independent candidate won one seat.
The then Chief Minister Raghubar Das also had to face defeat in the Jamshedpur seat. Jamshedpur seat also falls in the Kolhan region. For this, Champai’s hold on the voters as well as strong fortification and strategy were given. If Kolhan is called the stronghold of JMM, then Champai is considered its strategist.
What is the reason behind Champai Soren’s rebellion?
Champai Soren is one of those leaders who have been with Shibu Soren since the time of Jharkhand state movement. Champai’s stature in JMM and Soren family can be gauged from the fact that on many occasions the party’s working president Hemant Soren has been seen touching his feet and taking his blessings. Champai’s closeness to the Soren family was also a big reason that when Hemant was about to go to jail, the party chose him for the post of CM despite Shibu Soren’s daughter-in-law Sita Soren being an MLA. However, this decision also became the reason for Champai’s displeasure.
Also read: ‘Welcome to the NDA family…’, Jitan Ram Manjhi posted for Champai Soren
Champai was given the command of the government when the ED arrested Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a corruption case. Just before the arrest, Hemant submitted his resignation to the Governor and after this a new government was formed under the leadership of Champai. Champai has also given the reasons for rebelling by posting on social media. Champai posted on the social media platform X and said that he was humiliated and removed from the post of Chief Minister. The agenda of the meeting of the legislative party was not even told and all the programs were cancelled two days before it. He was forced to resign from the post of leader of the legislative party.
What threat can Champai’s rebellion pose to the government in Jharkhand?
The strength of Jharkhand Assembly is 82 out of which elections are held for 81 seats. Seven seats of the Assembly are vacant and the total strength of the Assembly is currently 75 including nominated members. In such a situation, support of 38 members is required for majority. The Hemant government has the support of 26 MLAs of JMM, 16 of Congress, one MLA each of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik, RJD as well as one nominated member. The Hemant government has the support of 45 MLAs in the Assembly. In such a situation, even if it is assumed that half a dozen MLAs including Champai Soren will leave the party, there is no threat to the government. Assembly elections are also to be held in a few months. In such a situation, the opposition will also not want the ruling party to be given a chance to present itself as a victim among the public.
What will BJP gain from this?
Now the question is what will BJP gain from this whole incident? Despite putting in all its efforts, BJP could not break the fort of Kolhan region in the last election. Champai Soren’s role in JMM has been important so far, from candidate selection to deciding strategy for the seats in Kolhan region and its surrounding areas. BJP leaders feel that with Champai leaving JMM, BJP’s path in this region will not be that difficult.
Also read: Resignation from the post of CM, humiliation and resentment… the full story of Champai Soren’s rebellion in Jharkhand
If Champai joins BJP, the party will get a strong tribal leader. Secondly, BJP will also get a chance to corner Hemant Soren and JMM on the issue of nepotism. After Champai was removed from the post of CM, Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi had also said – It has been proved that no matter who the tribal is, they cannot tolerate a person outside the family on the CM’s chair. One strategy is also the Mukhyamantri Mainiyaan Yojana, which is being called a game changer for JMM. This scheme was announced when Champai was the CM and the party will try to ensure that its credit does not go to JMM.
How much loss will JMM suffer?
If Champai joins BJP, it will solve JMM’s problems. The party is surrounded by allegations of corruption against CM Hemant and nepotism. In such a situation, a leader with a clean image leaving the party and joining the opposition camp will definitely cause moral loss. JMM leaders are rejecting the possibility of any political loss due to this, but it is being said that the party may have to suffer a loss of tribal votes and assembly seats, even if it is a little.
How can JMM capitalise on this issue in the elections?
Regarding Champai’s rebellion, CM Hemant Soren has targeted BJP without naming them. Hemant Soren said that these people bring people from Gujarat, Assam, Maharashtra and spread poison among the tribals, Dalits, backward classes and minorities and make them fight with each other. Forget about society, these people work to break homes and break parties. Every other day, sometimes they will buy this MLA, sometimes they will buy that MLA and money is such a thing that it does not take long for leaders to go here and there, well, it doesn’t matter.
Also read: Will he join BJP or form his own party? Which path will Champai Soren, who has rebelled from JMM, take?
After CM Hemant Soren’s statement, JMM’s strategy is to set this narrative among the public that while going to jail, CM trusted only Champai among so many MLAs, gave him respect by handing over his chair but now he is throttling that trust. While BJP seems to be moving ahead with the strategy of cornering JMM on the pitch of tribal identity on the pretext of Champai, JMM is trying to maintain Hemant’s victim image after ED’s action.
Is Himanta Biswa or Shivraj behind Champai’s rebellion?
What is the role of Jharkhand BJP’s election in-charge Shivraj Singh Chauhan and co-in-charge Himanta Biswa Sarma in the Champai chapter? This has also become a hot topic in the events of Jharkhand. Recently, Assam CM and Chanakya of Northeast Himanta Biswa Sarma had reached Ranchi to attend a program. Himanta fiercely attacked the JMM and Hemant Soren government but praised the work of Champai Soren’s government. Himanta said that whatever little work has been done, it has been done during Champai Soren’s tenure. Chief Minister Mainiya Yojana is also the gift of Champai government. Himanta has earlier also praised the Champai government on many occasions.
What is the result of Geeta Koda and Sita Soren’s rebellion from JMM?
Even before Champai, many leaders have left JMM. From Hemlal Murmu, Suraj Mandal, JP Patel and Arjun Munda to Sita Soren and Geeta Koda who left the party in the recent Lok Sabha elections, there is a long list of leaders who left JMM and joined other parties. Many leaders also joined BJP but Arjun Munda is the only one who became the Chief Minister as well as a Union Minister. Sita Soren and Geeta Koda were made candidates by BJP in the Lok Sabha elections but both the leaders were defeated.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)