Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, on Sunday, opened up about the "disrespect and humiliation" he endured within the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). He recounted several incidents that led him to reconsider his lifelong association with the party.
Once a trusted ally of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Champai Soren was left disheartened when some of his decisions were overridden by party members, and his scheduled programs as Chief Minister were abruptly canceled at the direction of an "influential" figure within the JMM.
On Sunday, Champai Soren took to X to reveal the mistreatment and ridicule he faced within the party, explaining why he felt compelled to "distance" himself from party activities and forge his own path.
His revelations, which have surfaced amid strong speculation about a possible switch to the BJP, highlight how the family-led party "dominated" the Chief Minister's role in Jharkhand.
Reflecting on a legislative party meeting, Champai Soren said, “The Chief Minister has the mandate to call a legislative party meeting but the irony is that I wasn’t even aware of the agenda of the meet despite being at the helm. I was directed to submit my resignation (after Hemant Soren’s release from jail). I was aghast and shocked at such directive coming from people with no authority. As I didn’t have any attachment to the Chair, I quickly tendered my resignation.”
“However, the incident deeply hurt me and my self-respect,” he added.
“For the past three days, I have been slighted and snubbed by the JMM leadership. Despite dedicating my entire life for the party, I am being treated like a baggage,” he said.
The veteran leader also expressed his heartbreak over the situation, noting that he had no one to turn to since the party's patriarch, Shibu Soren (Hemant Soren’s father), is no longer politically active.
“I was very hurt but didn’t share my pain with anyone. There are many instances when some people intentionally put me down and tried to belittle my contributions. I am forced to look for places where I can find my self-respect,” he said.
Champai Soren also mentioned that it was after the legislative party meeting that he decided on his future course of action.
“I told the meeting that I will shut my past and turn a new page in my life. I have three options before me — retiring from politics, floating a new outfit, or uniting with an ally with similar interests. All three options will remain open before me till the day when Jharkhand goes to the polls,” he concluded the post.
Speculation about Champai Soren joining the BJP intensified after he, along with four other JMM leaders, arrived in Delhi on Sunday.
While the visit fueled rumors of his potential defection from Hemant Soren's party, Champai Soren, when asked by journalists about a possible switch, stated, "I am here for some personal work."
He also removed JMM from his X bio on Sunday.
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