Suspense over Champai Soren’s future ends, he’ll join BJP on August 30, announces Himanta

The Assam CM shared a photo of Champai sitting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and him, and wrote: “Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a distinguished Adivasi leader of our country, ChampaiSoren Ji met Hon’ble Union Home Minister AmitShah Ji a short while ago. He will officially join the BJP4India on 30th August in Ranchi.”

Reacting to the photo of Champai meeting Shah, sources in CM Hemant Soren’s camp said: “It is great news for us because Champai Soren is exposed now. It would have been difficult for us had he run independently, as he would have taken a large vote share from the JMM.”

Champai became the 12th Chief Minister of Jharkhand after Hemant Soren resigned hours before being arrested in an alleged money laundering case in February this year. After Hemant was released on bail in June, tension started simmering in both Champai and Hemant camps and a drama unfolded during a coalition MLAs’ meeting. According to sources, unhappy over being bypassed despite being the CM, Champai protested in the meeting for not being kept in the loop over cancellations of various programmes. The sources said, Champai broke down in the meeting and a senior Congress leader had to pacify him.

A week later, on July 3, Champai resigned from the post to make way for Hemant to take over as the CM again.

Champai made headlines again after his movements were traced to Kolkata late night on August 17; sources said he was there to meet BJP leaders.

On August 18, Champai reached New Delhi. When asked by reporters whether he met BJP’s Subhendu Adhikari in Kolkata, he denied it and said he was in the city for “some personal work”. On the possibility of his defection to the BJP, Champai told the reporters: Hum jahan hain wahin par rahenge (I will remain where I am).”

Late on August 18, he wrote on X that he was “humiliated” and mulling over his next course of action — whether to retire, join another party or start his own.

On August 21, Champai met his supporters in Saraikela Kharsawan district of Jharkhand after he arrived from New Delhi via Kolkata. Eliminating his retirement rumours, Champai said, “Initially I thought I would retire, but while returning from Kolkata, I met many of my supporters who had gathered at various points in Jharkhand, extending support to my cause. This made me change my mind. Now, I will form my own party and if I find friends along the way I may also join them.”