Senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader and former Chief Minister Champai Soren quit the primary membership of Shibu Soren-led party on Wednesday. Apart from quitting the core positions of the party, Soren is likely to formally join Bharatiya Janata Party on August 30.
This move comes after a meet between Soren, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the BJP's co-election in-charge for Jharkhand, in New Delhi.
Champai Soren had briefly served as Jharkhand's Chief Minister after the incumbent Hemant Soren was detained in a land scam case. However, he was shortly replaced by Hemant Soren after the latter was released on bail on June 28.
Champai Soren said in his resignation letter addressed to Shibu Soren, whom he had addressed as 'Guruji', that he was unhappy with the way things are going in the JMM. He insinuated that the party strayed from its founding principles, hence this painful decision to leave.
Soren said he was sad to leave a party which was like his family, but the recent developments had forced him to do so. He also mentioned Shibu Soren's failing health and the absence of strong platforms within the party where one could air grievances.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said on X that Champai Soren, the esteemed Adivasi leader and former Jharkhand Chief Minister, would join BJP officially on August 30 in Ranchi. Sarma also posted a photograph of Soren with Amit Shah and surmised his joining would bolster the position of BJP.
Countering accusations by Hemant Soren that BJP was trying to break his party, Sarma said, "I will even welcome Hemant Soren to the BJP. Our commitment is to national devotion, and we work collectively for the country."
Soren, who was Chief Minister from February 2 to July 4, had already spoken about his disgruntlements over the disrespect and failures he faced in the JMM. He recalled how decisions taken by him were soon overturned by a section of party members that made him think twice about his three-decade-odd association with the party.
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