Ex-Jharkhand CM Champai Soren joins BJP
What's the story
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Ranchi on Friday, ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. He, along with many of his supporters, was welcomed into the BJP by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at a ceremony in Ranchi.
Political shift
Champai quit JMM on Wednesday
Champai, once a close aide to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha founder Shibu Soren, left his former party on Wednesday. To recall, Champai became the CM on February 2 after Hemant Soren resigned and was arrested in a money-laundering case. However, his term was brief, as Hemant was released from jail and re-elected as the JMM's legislature party leader on July 3, leading to Champai's resignation.
August 21
Champai's dissatisfaction with JMM
Recently, Champai expressed dissatisfaction with the JMM leadership after his government initiatives were canceled without his consent. On August 21, he said. "I had mentioned three options...retirement, organization, or friend. I will not retire...I will strengthen the party, a new party...if I meet a good friend...then will move ahead with them."
X post
Sarma shares post announcing date of official induction
On Monday night, Sarma, the BJP's election in-charge for the state, expressed his wish for Champai to join the party and strengthen their ranks. Just a few hours later, the deal was finalized, with Sarma sharing a photo of Champai meeting Home Minister Amit Shah and announcing the date of his official induction into the BJP.
Twitter Post
Read: Sarma's post here
Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a distinguished Adivasi leader of our country, @ChampaiSoren Ji met Hon’ble Union Home Minister @AmitShah Ji a short while ago. He will officially join the @BJP4India on 30th August in Ranchi. pic.twitter.com/OOAhpgrvmu
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 26, 2024
Information
Jharkhand assembly polls scheduled for later this year
The elections for the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly will take place later this year, with the current assembly's tenure ending on January 5, 2025. In the 2019 elections, the Congress and JMM formed an alliance. The Congress secured 16 seats and the JMM won 30 seats.