Champai Soren, former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, meets Amit Shah in Delhi, set to join BJP on August 30
Champai Soren met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital on Monday and is scheduled to officially join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on August 30. This announcement was made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, putting an end to speculation regarding Soren's political future following his departure from the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).
On August 26, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren visited Amit Shah, where it was confirmed that he will join the BJP this coming August 30 in Ranchi. "Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a prominent Adivasi leader, @ChampaiSoren Ji met Hon'ble Union Home Minister @AmitShah Ji a short while ago. He will officially join the @BJP4India on August 30 in Ranchi," posted Sarma on X.
With this announcement, uncertainties concerning Soren's political direction after leaving the JMM were resolved. Previously, Champai Soren had indicated that he had several options, including potentially forming a new political party or joining an existing one.
Himanta on Champai Soren’s induction
Earlier on Monday, Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his enthusiasm for inducting both Champai Soren and Hemant Soren into the BJP. "I personally want Champai Soren to join the BJP and strengthen us. However, he is too senior for me to comment on him... I also want Hemant Soren to join the BJP. For us, the country comes first... Today, the biggest challenge facing Jharkhand is the issue of infiltrators," he stated.
Conditions for BJP support of JMM
Sarma elaborated on the conditions under which the BJP would support the JMM. He stated that the BJP would back Hemant Soren's party if he opposed infiltrators and fulfilled certain promises. "If he (Hemant Soren) provides 5 lakh jobs before September, we are with him. If he stands against the treatment of Hindus during Muharram, we will support him. The nation comes first for us," Sarma reiterated.
Champai Soren had stepped down as Chief Minister after Hemant Soren received bail in a money laundering case, leading to Hemant Soren's reinstatement.
Champai Soren’s earlier statements
Last week, Champai Soren mentioned that he might consider forming a new political entity, affirming his intent to remain active in politics. "I had considered three options—retirement, organization, or friendship. I will not retire; I will strengthen the party, perhaps starting a new one, and if I encounter a good ally, I will proceed with them," he remarked.
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NDA ally Jitan Ram Manjhi had also previously expressed support for Soren
Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi welcomed Soren into the "NDA family," likening him to a "tiger." Manjhi's comments followed Soren's emotional note on social media, indicating that he was "forced to look for an alternative path." "Champai Da, you were a tiger, you are a tiger, and you will remain a tiger. Welcome to the NDA family," Manjhi posted on X.