Ranchi (Jharkhand):Ahead of the Jharkhand assembly elections later this year, the ruling JMM is likely to face a major blow as its veteran leader and former Chief Minister Champai Soren is likely to join the BJP.
Currently a minister in Chief Minister Hemant Soren's cabinet, Champai Soren, who was angry with the 'disrespect' he faced in the party, finally spoke out his heart.
As soon as he reached Delhi, he shared an emotional post on X amid speculations of joining the BJP. The six-time MLA from Saraikela, Champai Soren said that he suffered a blow to his self-respect and felt emotional due to the insulting behaviour (in JMM).
"I was trying to control my tears, but they were only interested in the chair. I felt as if I had no existence in that party. From that day till today, and till the upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections, all options are open for me in this journey," he said.
Champai said, "The day after Hul Diwas, I came to know that all my programs for the next two days had been postponed by the party leadership. One of these was a public program in Dumka, while the other was to distribute appointment letters to PGT teachers. On asking, I came to know that a meeting of the legislative party has been called by the coalition on July 3, till then you cannot attend any program as CM. Can there be anything more humiliating in a democracy than a Chief Minister's programs being cancelled by another person?"
Champai said that although the Chief Minister had the right to call a meeting of the legislative party, he was not even told the agenda of the meeting. "I was emotional due to the insulting behaviour for the last three days and was trying to control my tears, but they were only interested in the chair. I felt as if I had no existence in that party, no existence at all, for which I had dedicated my entire life," he said.
"With a heavy heart, I said in the same meeting of the legislative party that - "A new chapter of my life is going to start from today." I had three options in this. First, to retire from politics, second, to form my own separate organization and third, if I find a companion on this path, then to travel further with that companion," Champai said.
The former CM asserted that from raising the voice of workers against industrial houses to the Jharkhand movement, he had always done politics of public concern. "I have been fighting for the rights of the tribals, natives, poor, laborers, students and backward class people of the state. Whether I held any post or not, I was always available to the public, raising the issues of those people who had dreamt of a better future with the state of Jharkhand," he said.
Giving details of his journey, Champai Soren said, "On January 31, after an unprecedented turn of events, the India Alliance chose me to serve the state as the 12th Chief Minister of Jharkhand. From the first day of my tenure to the last day (July 3), I discharged my duties towards the state with full devotion and dedication. During this time, we took many decisions in public interest and, as always, was always available to everyone. The people of the state will evaluate the decisions we took keeping in mind the elders, women, youth, students and every section of the society and every person of the state."
Meanwhile, sources said Champai Soren left for the national capital this morning where he is likely to meet Home Minister Amit Shah. Apart from Soren, former MLA Lobin Hembrom, expelled from JMM, will also join BJP. There are speculations that some more MLAs from JMM are joining the saffron party.