State Bureau, Ranchi: Speculations began in the capital on Friday regarding former Chief Minister Champai Soren. Rumors are circulating in political circles that Champai Soren is upset and might join the BJP.
Currently, Champai Soren is the Minister of Water Resources and Higher Education in the Hemant Soren government. Amidst these speculations, on Friday, he inaugurated the Kharkai Lift Underground Pipeline Irrigation Project of the Water Resources Department in his constituency, Seraikela. When asked about these rumors, Champai Soren responded with a smile, saying, “There is talk of me being in Delhi, but I am right here. My political life is still long.”
On the other hand, it is almost certain that Lobin Hembrom, the former MLA of Borio from Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), who was recently disqualified from the Assembly, will join the BJP. Lobin Hembrom had contested against the party’s candidate in the Rajmahal parliamentary constituency. Following a complaint from JMM President Shibu Soren, the Assembly Speaker disqualified him. Lobin Hembrom has been vocal against the top leadership of the party for a long time.
There is a reason behind the speculations regarding Champai Soren. The BJP has been trying to attract him consistently. After he was removed from the post of CM, several senior BJP leaders have praised him on various occasions. Even during the Monsoon session of the Assembly, BJP leaders praised him within the house.
BJP’s election co-incharge Himanta Biswa Sarma, along with state president Babulal Marandi, has repeatedly expressed sympathy towards him while taking jabs at the JMM leadership.
It is noteworthy that just before the Lok Sabha elections, Sita Soren joined the BJP, giving a jolt to JMM. The BJP had removed its declared candidate Sunil Soren from Dumka and fielded her in the election. However, she was not successful.
