Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Champai Soren on Wednesday resigned as the Jharkhand Chief Minister barely five months after taking oath to make way for the return of former CM Hemant Soren to the post. Champai met Governor CP Radhakrishnan qat the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi and submitted his resignation.
Champai, a leader seen close to JMM founder and Hemant’s father Shibu Soren, was sworn in as the Chief Minister on February 2, two days after Hemant was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged land scam case.
However, Soren’s release on bail on June 28 by the Jharkhand High Court set off speculation around his return to the chief minister’s chair. On Wednesday, ruling coalition MLAs of the JMM, Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress met at Champai Soren’s residence in Ranchi and chose Hemant as the leader of the alliance, a move that had reportedly left Champai “upset” and feeling “insulted”.
“I was given responsibility (as CM) when the leadership changed. After Hemant Soren came back, we (the coalition) picked him as our leader and I have resigned. I am following the decision taken by the coalition,” Champai sai after meeting the Governor last evening.
Hemant Soren also met the Governor and hstaked claim to form the government. A decision on the date of swearing-in of Hemant as the CM is expected from the Raj Bhavan later today. Ealrier yesterday, Hemant was chosen as the legislature party leader by JMM MLAs in a meeting held at the former CM’s residence.
The developments gave rest to all discussions around the possibility of Champai Soren retaining the post of chief minister till the Assembly elections later this year while Hemant would return to the post only after the ruling alliance’s victory.