Retire, float a new party, or join BJP? Jharkhand ex-CM Champai Soren keeps options open

Champai Soren’s tweet read, "After so much insult and contempt, I was forced to look for an alternative path. With a heavy heart, I said in the meeting of the legislative party that "A new chapter of my life is going to start from today."

Champai Soren, the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and prominent leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), has declared a significant shift in his political career amid ongoing speculation about his potential alignment with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In a tweet posted on August 18, Soren revealed his intentions to explore new political avenues following what he described as deep personal insult and contempt.

Champai Soren’s tweet read, "After so much insult and contempt, I was forced to look for an alternative path. With a heavy heart, I said in the meeting of the legislative party that a new chapter of my life is going to start from today."

He outlined three possible directions for his future: retiring from politics, forming a new political organisation, or finding a partner to join him on his new journey.

He added, “From that day till today, and till the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections, all options are open for me in this journey."

Champai Soren’s announcement comes at a time when there are increasing rumours about his possible move towards the BJP.

Soren, who stepped down as Jharkhand Chief Minister on July 3 after JMM leader Hemant Soren was granted the right to form the government following five months in jail, has dismissed rumours of his potential switch to the BJP.

On August 18, he travelled to Delhi amid the ongoing speculations  and also updated his bio on social media platform 'X' to exclude any mention of the JMM.