‘To save identity…’: Champai Soren explains his decision to join BJP

Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand Champai Soren On Tuesday he announced his joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (Indian People’s Party (BJP)). Former Jharkhand Chief Minister will join the BJP on August 30 along with his son Babula Soren. Champai Soren, in his X post, said that the BJP is the only party that is serious about the “Bangladeshi infiltration” in the tribal areas of the state, including Santhal Pargana.

“Last week (August 18), I put forward my views before the people of the entire country, including Jharkhand, through a letter. After that, I kept meeting the people of Jharkhand and trying to know their opinion. The people of Kolhan region supported me at every step and rejected the option of withdrawing,” the former Jharkhand Chief Minister said in the post.

“Today, Bangladeshi infiltration has become a big problem in Santhal Pargana, the sacred land of Baba Tilka Manjhi and Sido-Kanhu. What can be more unfortunate than the fact that these infiltrators are occupying the lands of the descendants of those heroes who never accepted slavery by the foreign Britishers in the struggle for water, forests and land? Because of them, the dignity of our mothers, sisters and daughters who look up to brave women like Phool-Jhano as their ideal is at risk,” he added.

“If these intruders, who are causing economic and social damage to the tribals and natives, are not stopped, the existence of our society in Santhal Pargana will be in danger. In many areas, including Pakur and Rajmahal, their numbers have outnumbered the tribals. Apart from politics, we have to turn this issue into a social movement, only then the existence of the tribals will be saved,” Champai Soren added.

Champai Soren’s tweet:

Soren’s statement came a day after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the BJP’s co-in-charge for Jharkhand elections, shared a photo of the former Jharkhand Chief Minister with Amit Shah. According to Sarma, Soren will join the BJP on August 30.

Speculations about Soren switching sides had gained ground after he visited Delhi with some MPs on August 18. Recently, Soren had said that he was firm on his plans to quit power. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha after “facing humiliation at the hands of the leaders of JMM“, a party to which the veteran leader claimed to have dedicated his entire life.

The 67-year-old tribal leader has earned the nickname ‘the tiger of Jharkhand’ for his contribution to the struggle for creating a separate state in the 1990s. Jharkhand was carved out of the southern part of Bihar in 2000.

Previous statement by Champai Soren:

Champai Soren took charge as the 12th CM of Jharkhand on February 2, soon after his predecessor Hemant Soren resigned just before he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case. Hemant Soren was released from jail on June 28 after the apex court granted him bail. On July 3, he was elected as the leader of the JMM legislature party. Champai Soren subsequently submitted his resignation letter to the governor.

The veteran politician said the “bitter humiliation” he faced as prime minister forced him to seek an alternative path.

“After so much humiliation, I was forced to look for an alternative path,” Champai Soren said, alleging that all his government programmes in the first week of July were abruptly cancelled by the party leadership without his knowledge.

“When I asked about the reasons for the cancellation, I was told that there was a meeting of party lawmakers on July 3 and that I would not be able to attend any government programme until that date,” he said.

Champai Soren claimed that though the CM had the authority to call a meeting of the legislative party, he was not even informed of the agenda of the meeting.

“During the meeting (on July 3), I was asked to resign. I was taken aback. Since I had no desire for power, I resigned immediately. However, my self-esteem was deeply hurt,” the former Jharkhand chief minister added.