In a jolt to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren joined the BJP on Friday. Soren had resigned from JMM citing dissatisfaction with the party's current functioning style.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the ceremony in Ranchi, where Soren along with a large number of his supporters joined the party officially.
ALSO READ | Former Jharkhand CM Champai Soren to join BJP on August 30, meets Amit Shah
"After I was put under surveillance by the Jharkhand government in Delhi and Kolkata, my resolve to join BJP strengthened," said Soren after joining the party.
He said the BJP can save the tribals' identity and check infiltration in Jharkhand's Santhal Pargana. He also added that he will fulfil whatever responsibilities the party will assign him.
#WATCH | Ranchi: Former Jharkhand CM and BJP leader Champai Soren says, "I will work for the development of Jharkhand and we will stop infiltration from Bangladesh. I will fulfil whatever responsibilities the party will assign me" pic.twitter.com/Eww8vq677Y
— ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024
"I am committed to delivering justice to the people," said Soren.
#WATCH | Ranchi, Jharkhand: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says, "Champai Soren worked very hard for the creation of Jharkhand and he dedicated his life to the service of the public. He has joined the BJP to remove the corrupt Jharkhand government from power. We welcome… pic.twitter.com/jJbaPh86cX
— ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024
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The veteran leader got emotional while speaking about JMM and said he had nurtured the party with his sweat and blood. "The party humiliated and insulted me. I am compelled to join the BJP...I was not in a position to tolerate humiliation," said Soren.
Champai Soren, also known as 'Jharkhand's Tiger' for his significant role in the fight for statehood, became chief minister on February 2, following Hemant Soren's resignation and arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case.
After Hemant Soren was granted bail, he resumed the office on July 4 forcing Champai Soren to resign. Speculation was rife since then as Champai was unhappy with the party’s decision.
In a letter to party supremo Shibu Soren on Wednesday, Champai said he was compelled to quit after being "aggrieved by the present style of functioning of the JMM and its policies".
"I have never imagined that I would quit JMM, a party which is like a family to me... The turn of events of the past forced me to make this decision with much pain...I am pained to say that the party has deviated from its principle," the letter said.
Champai Soren began his political career by winning the Saraikela seat as an Independent MLA in 1991.
He later contested as a JMM candidate and won the seat again in 1995.
