For the unversed, here is the story so far: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) vice president Champai Soren was elected as the legislative party leader following the resignation of Hemant Soren. Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren submitted his resignation on Wednesday following his questioning by the Enforcement Directorate in a land scam case.
READ HERE | Jharkhand: ‘In Delhi for personal work’, says Champai Soren amid speculations of him joining BJP
However, a lot of water has flown under the bridge since then and Hemant Soren is back in the CMO. Champai Soren, meanwhile, is now in Delhi, amidst speculations that he may join the BJP. Soren had on Saturday said he had no idea about the speculations. "I don't know anything about such speculations and reports... I am where I am..." he had told reporters in Ranchi before leaving for Jamshedpur.
Here are 5 things to know about veteran leader Champai Soren, who has brought Jharkhand politics back into the centre stage.
1. A resident of Jharkhand's Seraikela Kharsawan district, he has been an MLA since 2005. The 7-time MLA was among the four children of Simal Soren, a peasant, AajTak said in a report. Born in November 1956 at Jilinggora village of the same district, Soren is a matriculate and the father of seven children.
2. When the Jharkhand statehood agitation broke out, he joined the movement along with Shibu Soren, the Times of India said in a report. His fearless participation in the separate statehood agitation won him the name 'Jharkhand Tiger.'
3. Champai Soren started his political career by contesting as an independent from Seraikela Assembly seat. He won the by-election and later joined Jharkhand Mukti Morcha.
4. The 2019 Hemant Soren cabinet was not his first stint as a Jharkhand minister. Between 11 September 2010 and 18 January 2013, he handled the portfolios of Science and Technology and Labour and Housing in the Arjun Munda government, Later that year, when Hemant Soren became the CM after the President's rule, Chambai Soren became the minister of Food and Civil Supplies and Transport.
5. In 2019, when the incumbent JMM entered office, Champai Soren was asked to handle the ministries of Transport and SC/ST and Backward Classes Welfare.
