'Insults and contempt': What forced JMM stalwart Champai Soren to look for ‘alternative path’?

Champai Soren, a senior JMM leader, was asked to step down as Jharkhand CM soon after Hemant Soren's release from bail. (File Photo: PTI)

Senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Champai Soren’s visit to Delhi on Sunday pushed the JMM-led ruling alliance in the state into a crisis. The 67-year-old leader, seen as a close confidante of JMM founder Shibu Soren, arrived in the national capital amid strong indications that he may consider switching over to the Bharatiya Janata Party.

In a post on his X handle, Champai cited his humiliation at the hands of the party leadership and his unceremonious ouster as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Soren was appointed as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand following the arrest of former CM Hemant Soren in January this year. He was, however, asked to step down in July following Hemant’s release on bail.

In his social media post, Champai Soren recalled the unprecedented turn of events that led to his appointment as the 12th Chief Minister of Jharkhand and then, his unceremonious exit following bail to Hemant Soren in a land scam case. Hemant was granted bail on June 28 and he took oath as CM on July 4.

In the emotional post, Champai claimed that all his meetings and public engagements were cancelled by the JMM leadership two days ahead of his resignation as CM. “The day after Hul Diwas, I came to know that all my programmes for the next two days have been postponed by the party leadership…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 programme as CM.

"Can there be anything more humiliating in a democracy than a Chief Minister's programmes being cancelled by another person?" Champai said in his post, adding that he wasn’t informed about the agenda of the meeting until being asked to step down as CM.

"I was surprised, but I had no greed for power, so I immediately resigned, but my heart was emotional due to the blow to my self-respect," Champai further said.

Champai said that he was subjected to several instances where he felt insulted and humiliated, but swallowed a bitter pill. “However, they were only interested in the (CM’s) chair.”

"I felt as if I had no existence in that party, no existence at all, for which I had dedicated my entire life…After so much insult and contempt, I was forced to look for an alternative path," he added.

In strong indications that Champai was set to bid farewell to the JMM, Champai said that there are three options that remain open for him till the Jharkhand Assembly elections, expected to held later this year, conclude.

"First, to retire from politics, second, to form my own separate organisation and third, if I find a companion on this path, then to travel further with him. From that day till today, and till the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections, all options are open for me in this journey," he said amid reports that he is in discussions with the BJP.

However, a section of BJP leaders feel that the emotional outburst by Champai may well be an attempt to buy time and that the saffron party is yet to find a strong reason to induct him.

"The BJP already has three former CMs – (former Union Minister) Arjun Munda, (Jharkhand BJP chief) Babulal Marandi and (Odisha Governor) Raghubar Das. Also, there is former CM Madhu Koda’s wife Geeta and Shibu Soren’s daughter-in-law Sita. All these leaders are power centres in themselves. What offer will Champai be given to bring him in?" The Indian Express quoted a BJP source as saying.

JMM sources, however, maintained that differences crept up after the party refused to offer a ticket to Champai’s son from the Ghatshila seat in the upcoming Assembly elections in Jharkhand.

The Jharkhand Assembly, with 81 members, currently has 47 MLAs from the INDIA bloc. These include 30 from the JMM, 16 from the Congress and one from the RJD. On the other hand, the BJP and its NDA allies have 30 MLAs. There are two Independent MLAs while the CPI (M-L) and the NCP have one legislator each.