There is turmoil in Jharkhand politics. Veteran tribal leader and former Chief Minister Champai Soren has said goodbye to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. He is going to join BJP today. In such a situation, a mountain of problems has arisen in front of Hemant Soren’s party JMM. On one hand, the departure of a veteran leader has come as a big shock, and on the other hand, there is the challenge of spreading the message of all is well in a large tribal belt like Kolhan. At present, JMM has found a solution and has made preparations to put forward MLA Ramdas Soren from Ghatsila.
Ramdas Soren took oath as cabinet minister at Raj Bhavan at 11 am today. He replaced Champai Soren in the Hemant cabinet. He has become the 12th minister in the cabinet. The post of cabinet minister was vacant after Champai’s resignation. After getting a call from the Chief Minister’s office on Thursday, Ramdas Soren reached Ranchi and met party leaders. Ramdas is considered close to Champai Soren. In such a situation, Chief Minister Hemant has taken a big step not only to stop the rebellion by making Ramdas a minister, but has also tried to appease the Santhal tribal society.
Hemant made a move to woo the Santhal community
Experts say that Hemant Soren’s entire focus is on maintaining the dominance of the organization in the Kolhan area. Hemant knows that Champai has influence in Kolhan and comes from the Santhal community. In a career of 44 years, he rose from the position of a party worker to the post of CM. This is the reason why Hemant has not commented on Champai’s rebellion and breakup till now and is maintaining silence. Champai is an old and experienced leader. In such a situation, Hemant is trying to understand Champai’s next strategy. It is believed that Champai’s rebellion can harm JMM and benefit BJP in Kolhan. Therefore, Hemant has played the gamble of making Ramdas Soren, who comes from the Santhal community, a minister.
Ramdas is being seen as a counter to Champai in JMM
Experts also say that JMM has made full proof preparations for damage control. By making Ramdas Soren a cabinet minister, not only has it given importance to East Singhbhum district, but it has also started working on a plan to manage the Kolhan region. This is being seen as a solution to Champai. After the cabinet expansion, Ramdas will be given all the departments that Champai had till now. The party will entrust Ramdas with the task of strengthening its vote bank in Kolhan. However, how much benefit or loss JMM will incur from this plan will be clear only after the election results are out.
Champai has a great influence in Kolhan
Actually, Ramdas Soren is an MLA from Ghatshila. This assembly falls in East Singhbhum district. Kolhan division consists of three districts East Singhbhum, Saraikela Kharsawan and West Singhbhum. There are 14 assembly seats in these three districts and Champai Soren has a lot of influence. JMM does not have any big leader in this area who can become an alternative to Champai. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has always benefited from Champai’s organizational capabilities. In the 2020 elections, JMM won 11 out of 14 seats in the Kolhan area. Two seats were won by alliance partner Congress. One seat was occupied by independent Saryu Rai. BJP’s hands remained empty. Even the then Chief Minister Raghubar Das had to face defeat.
This is the reason why BJP is looking for a strong tribal leader in Kolhan area. Now through Champai, BJP can not only strengthen its hold on 14 seats, but can also start a winning streak. Champai has also been a part of the NDA government before. He has been a cabinet minister in the NDA government from September 2010 to January 2013. He has also been the Minister of Transport and Backward Welfare in 2019. On Thursday, the Raj Bhavan has accepted Champai Soren’s resignation from the post of minister.
Who is Ramdas Soren?
Ramdas Soren comes from the Santhal community. He is also the district president of JMM in East Singhbhum. He has also been a part of the movement for a separate state and has gone to jail several times. Ramdas Soren contested the election for the first time as an independent in 2005 and lost the election to Congress candidate Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu. After that, in 2009, he contested from Ghatsila assembly seat on a JMM ticket and won by 1,192 votes. He defeated Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu in this election. However, Ramdas had to face defeat in the 2014 elections. He was defeated by BJP’s Laxman Tudu by 6,403 votes. In the 2020 elections, Ramdas avenged the defeat and reached the assembly for the second time by defeating Laxman Tudu. JMM government was formed in the state, but Ramdas could not get a place in the cabinet. Because Champai is considered a big leader from Kolhan area and he was made a cabinet minister in the Hemant Soren government.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)