Ranchi: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and one of the founding leaders of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Champai Soren, has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In a significant event held in Ranchi, Champai Soren, along with his supporters, was welcomed into the BJP fold by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi. Champai, who recently left the JMM after being removed from the Chief Minister's post, took this step following dissatisfaction with the party's direction and leadership.
At 67 years old, Champai Soren's move to the BJP is viewed as a strategic gain for the party, particularly in its efforts to strengthen ties with the Scheduled Tribes (STs), a voter base that has traditionally supported the JMM. Champai was a close ally of JMM leader Shibu Soren and had been a significant figure within the party. However, his departure from the JMM earlier this week came after he expressed discontent with the state government's functioning and its policies, which ultimately led to his decision to leave the party he had long served.
Known as the "Kolhan Tiger," Champai Soren was one of the most senior tribal leaders in the JMM, only second to Shibu Soren. His influence within the party was evident when Hemant Soren had to step down temporarily as Chief Minister of Jharkhand due to legal troubles, and Champai was chosen over another cabinet colleague, Joba Majhi, to take over the position. However, after Hemant Soren returned to office on July 4 following his release from jail, Champai Soren was made the state's Education Minister—a role he found unsatisfactory. Dissatisfied with his new position, Champai took to social media a few days ago, announcing his resignation from the JMM.
Champai Soren has a long-standing history of influence in the Kolhan region, where he is recognized as a leader of the working class. He played a significant role in the fight for Jharkhand's statehood under Shibu Soren's leadership. He is particularly proud of the fact that his efforts helped secure jobs for over 10,000 local youths in industrial establishments like those of the Tata Group. The Kolhan region, predominantly inhabited by tribal communities, was crucial in JMM's victory in the 2019 assembly elections, where the party won 11 out of 14 seats, despite strong opposition from the BJP. Champai's influence in this region makes him a key figure for the BJP as it seeks to strengthen its foothold in tribal areas.
Champai Soren belongs to the influential Santhal tribe of Jharkhand, which, according to the 2011 census, constitutes a significant portion of the state's tribal population. The Santhal community alone accounts for 27.5 lakh of the state's 86 lakh tribal population. Champai's stature as a leader of the Santhal tribe and his active participation in the movement for Jharkhand's statehood make him an important asset for the BJP, not just within his own tribe but also among other tribal communities in the state.
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