In a surprise move, the heavyweight leader of the JMM and the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Champai Soren, has decided to join the BJP on 30th August. The move was announced by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Sarma then took to X to announce that very recently, Soren met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and joined BJP which he will formally join in Ranchi on the above-mentioned date.
Sarma had said on Monday, "It will be a big gain if Soren enters BJP." His comments had come amid speculations about the possible switch of Soren, especially after he had been camping in Delhi in the recent days. Sarma had said, "I hope so, but he is such a tall leader; one has to be very careful about making such announcements.
Countering Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's claims that the BJP is trying to break up his party, Sarma-who has been tasked with overseeing BJP's campaign in Jharkhand for elections due by the end of 2024-said the BJP's mission is anchored on national service. "We welcome all who are committed to the country's progress," he added.
Champai Soren was sore with the JMM over what he saw as an insulting defeat after his guard change with the party chief from February 2 to July 4. He came down heavily on August 18 on the party for debilitating his authority and not showing him due respect. He gave examples of not being taken in confidence in crucial party meetings and was asked to put in his paper by people unauthorized to do so, besides humiliation.
This is an insult and humiliation for me, who served the party for so many years with dedication, even when party supremo Shibu Soren was virtually out of the limelight and never bothered about my contributions," Soren said. He added that since his party leader has become ineffective, he too had felt abandoned. All these made Soren to look into other options available before him to head towards his political journey: retirement from politics, forming one's own party, and joining hands with one's own tribe.
Speculation about Soren's joining BJP had gained momentum ever since he, along with other JMM leaders, visited Delhi in the first week of this month. Though he claimed that his visit to the national capital was based on a personal issue, Soren's removal of JMM from his X profile further fueled speculation over his imminent party switch.
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