Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its longstanding practice of enticing legislators from ruling parties. His comments were prompted by the recent defection of his predecessor, Champai Soren, who switched allegiance to the BJP, citing feelings of being "slighted" by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the party currently in power in the state.
Champai Soren, who stepped down as Jharkhand's Chief Minister earlier this year, announced his decision to join the BJP following a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The move was confirmed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also serves as the BJP's in-charge for the upcoming Jharkhand elections.
Sarma took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm the switch, stating, "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 30th August in Ranchi."
"Sarkar todo abhiyan" and "vidhayak todo abhiyan"
In response to the news, Hemant Soren accused the BJP of reigniting its "sarkar todo abhiyan" and "vidhayak todo abhiyan" (campaigns to break the government and poach MLAs), tactics that he claims were also used during the Lok Sabha elections. Soren vowed that the BJP would receive a "befitting reply from the people" in the upcoming assembly polls in Jharkhand.
Champai Soren was appointed Chief Minister of Jharkhand in February this year after the arrest of then-Chief Minister Hemant Soren by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case. However, Champai Soren was compelled to step down just five months later when Hemant Soren was granted bail in June and resumed his role as CM.
Champai expressed feelings of humiliation
After his resignation, Champai Soren expressed feelings of humiliation and claimed to have been sidelined within the JMM. In a post on X, he revealed that he was not informed about the agenda of legislative meetings despite being the Chief Minister and was suddenly directed to resign after Hemant Soren's release. He expressed shock and dismay at being asked to step down by individuals with "no authority."
Amid growing speculation, Champai Soren recently hinted at the possibility of forming a new political outfit. However, his multiple visits to Delhi in the span of ten days fueled rumors of his shift to the BJP.
I decided to join BJP after much contemplation: Champai
Today, he clarified his decision, stating, "Initially, I thought of taking retirement, but later witnessing the enthusiasm of workers and the public, I thought of being actively involved in politics. Later, I also thought of forming a new organization, but due to time constraints and the unique dynamics in Jharkhand, I decided to join the BJP after much contemplation."
Champai Soren also announced that his son, Babu Lal Soren, would join the BJP alongside him on August 30.
(Prakash Pandey)
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