“BJP Will Get a Befitting Reply from People”: Hemant Soren on Champai Soren’s Defection

GG News Bureau
Ranchi, 27th August. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has strongly criticized the BJP for what he termed as its “old tactic of poaching” ruling party legislators, following the defection of former Chief Minister Champai Soren to the BJP. Champai Soren, who felt “slighted” by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), joined the BJP on Tuesday.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, also the BJP’s in-charge for Jharkhand elections, confirmed the development in a late-night post on X. “Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a distinguished Adivasi leader of our country, Champai Soren, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah a short while ago. He will officially join the BJP on August 30 in Ranchi,” Sarma wrote.

Hemant Soren lashed out at the BJP, accusing the party of restarting its “sarkar todo abhiyan” (break the government campaign) and “vidhayak todo abhiyan” (poach the MLAs campaign), as he claims it did during the Lok Sabha elections. Soren asserted that the BJP will receive a “befitting reply from the people” in the upcoming state assembly polls.

Champai Soren, who was made the chief minister in February after Hemant Soren’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case, stepped down five months later when Hemant Soren was granted bail and resumed his position.

Champai Soren expressed his dissatisfaction with the JMM, citing “humiliation” and “ridicule” within the party. In a post on X, he revealed that he was not informed of the agenda for crucial legislative party meetings and was asked to resign without prior notice. He stated that the directive came from individuals “with no authority,” and he chose to resign without hesitation due to his lack of attachment to the position.

Amidst rumors of forming a new political outfit, Champai Soren ultimately decided to join the BJP after “much contemplation.” He clarified that his decision was influenced by the enthusiasm of his supporters and the unique political dynamics of Jharkhand. His son, Babu Lal Soren, will also join the BJP alongside him on August 30.

This development comes as the BJP prepares for the upcoming assembly elections in Jharkhand, with the political landscape in the state becoming increasingly volatile.