Today is a very special day in Jharkhand politics. Two big changes are going to happen in the politics here. First, former Chief Minister and veteran tribal leader Champai Soren will join BJP along with his son Babulal. The membership program is going to be held at 3 pm in Ranchi’s Shaheed Maidan. Second, Ghatsila’s JMM MLA Ramdas Soren will become a cabinet minister in the Hemant Soren government in place of Champai Soren. This program will be held at 10.30 am in Raj Bhavan. Both these political developments are considered very important in terms of Jharkhand politics. Because assembly elections are to be held here this year and BJP is giving a tough fight to the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. CM Hemant Soren himself is surrounded by controversies. In such a situation, he has a tough challenge to keep his core voters tribal class and deal with the opposition. Let us know how the political situation has changed in Jharkhand in 6 months?
Actually, a lot of things are changing very fast in the politics of Jharkhand during the last 6 months. It can be said that there has been political upheaval in Jharkhand after 31 January. First Hemant Soren’s resignation and arrest, then Champai Soren’s coronation and Hemant’s release after just 5 months have created a wall of rebellion and breakup within the party. Champai Soren has left the party, post and MLA post just a day ago. He is upset with Hemant’s attitude.
Champai is a 7-time MLA and has been winning elections from Saraikela. He is also known as Kolhan Tiger in Jharkhand politics. Champai has a significant influence on 14 assembly seats in the Kolhan region. Earlier on August 21, Champai had announced the formation of a new party. He contested and won the first election as an independent in 1991. After that, he contested and won the election on a JMM ticket in 1995. Champai took part in the Jharkhand movement (demand for a separate state) led by JMM supremo Shibu Soren and created a distinct identity for himself by fighting for the rights of the tribals. He was also a trade union leader and ran several business movements in the industrial cities of Jamshedpur and Adityapur. Champai is also considered a loyalist of Shibu Soren. When the Enforcement Directorate arrested Hemant Soren in the land scam on January 31, Champai was elected the new leader of the legislative party and he took oath as the 12th Chief Minister of Jharkhand on February 2.
How did the political situation change in 6 months?
Actually, Chief Minister Hemant Soren is surrounded by allegations of alleged irregularities and corruption in the allocation of mining leases. The Enforcement Directorate arrested Hemant on the night of January 31 after questioning him in money laundering. He resigned from the post of CM before going to jail. After about 5 months, Hemant got bail from the High Court and he was released. In such a situation, Champai had to leave the CM’s chair and on July 4, Hemant once again took oath as CM.
When I said this in the assembly- I proudly say that I am Hemant Part-2…
In February, when Champai Soren became the CM and the floor test was required in the assembly, he called himself Hemant Soren Part-2 and openly praised Hemant who was sent to jail. He had said, we will proudly say that we are Part-2. If Hemant Babu is there then there is courage. In such a situation, there are discussions that what happened suddenly in 5 months, which created a rift between the two leaders and the situation reached to rebellion and leaving the party. Champai himself is answering this question.
Champai says that before July 3, all my programs were postponed while I was the CM. I was insulted. I was not even told the agenda of the legislative party meeting. I was asked to resign during the meeting. I became emotional due to the hurt to my self-respect. For the first time in my spotless political journey of the last four decades, I was broken from within. I was treated disrespectfully for three days. He (Hemant) was only interested in the chair. I felt as if I had no existence in that party. There is no existence at all, the party for which we dedicated our entire life. After so much insult and contempt, I was forced to look for an alternative way. However, no response has been given by Hemant Soren till now.
Earlier there was speculation that Kalpana would be made the CM…
After Hemant went to jail, there were speculations that his wife Kalpana Soren could be made the Chief Minister. There were also discussions about writing a script for this. At that time Kalpana Soren was not an MLA. It was said that Kalpana would be fielded in the by-election and sent to the House. However, the speculations were proved wrong and on 2 February Champai Soren took oath as the new Chief Minister. Hemant was released on 28 June and on 3 July Champai had to resign from the post of CM. From here Champai took a rebellious stance against Hemant and JMM. However, he never accepted it publicly. But the events of 18 August made it clear that Champai was angry since his resignation.
After submitting his resignation to the Governor on July 3, Champai came out of the Raj Bhavan and while talking to the media said, ‘Due to political circumstances in the past, I was made the Chief Minister. But after Hemant Soren came out of jail, our alliance has decided that he will become the Chief Minister again.’
Champai wrote a post on Instagram on August 18 and expressed his pain in it. He also mentioned his political career and told in detail about the events that have taken place since January 31. Read what was written in the post…
After this long post of Champai, there was a sudden stir in the politics of Jharkhand. It was said that Champai may rebel against JMM and may soon join the BJP leadership. When he was asked about these discussions, he smiled and said, “You people are asking such a question, what should I say on this, we are in front of you.” After saying this, he sat in the car. Amidst all this, BJP leaders were continuously praising Champai Soren.
Meanwhile, Champai Soren reached Delhi on 21 August. There were discussions that he might meet the BJP high command and leave JMM and join BJP. However, he could not meet the BJP high command in Delhi. When the media asked questions, Champai said that he had gone to Delhi for personal work. His family lives there. He also had to get his grandson’s glasses repaired. He also said that he will not retire from politics. He will form his own new organization.
Champai Soren had given three options. He had said that ‘I will not retire from politics. I had given three options, retirement, organization or friend. I will not retire, I will strengthen the party, form a new party and if I find a good friend on the way, I will move forward with him.’
Champai Soren reached Delhi from Kolkata by flight. He returned in the same way. After returning from Delhi, he came to Kolkata and went to his native village Saraikela by road.
After that on 26 August Champai again reached Delhi and met the BJP high command there. After that he announced to join the BJP.
“This is my new chapter”
On August 26, Champai met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He wrote on his social media handle X, this is my new chapter. First I thought of taking sanyaas, then on the demand of the public, I decided to stay in politics. After thinking, I thought I should go with PM Modi. I am going to join BJP.
Champai made another post on Instagram on August 28 and announced his decision to leave the party. He wrote this letter addressed to JMM supremo Shibu Soren and recalled the days of the movement. Along with this, he again expressed faith in Shibu Soren and wrote that you will always remain my guide.
Champai Soren will enter BJP today
Champai Soren and his son Babulal will join BJP at Shaheed Maidan in Ranchi. For this, BJP has organized Abhinandan cum Milan Samaroh. Jharkhand BJP election in-charge Shivraj Singh Chauhan, co-in-charge Himanta Biswa Sarma, state in-charge Laxmikant Bajpayee, state president Babulal Marandi, former CM Arjun Munda, Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri and other leaders will be present in it. Before Champai’s entry into BJP, an important meeting of the party will also be held.
After Champai joins BJP, there will be four former CMs of Jharkhand in the party. State president Babulal Marandi has also been a CM. Apart from this, Arjun Munda and Raghubar Das have also been CMs. Currently, Raghubar Das is the Governor of Odisha. Munda has also been a minister in the central government.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)