Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Sunday accused the BJP of attempting to “poach” MLAs and “divide society” amid speculation that JMM leader Champai Soren may join the BJP. Champai Soren arrived in Delhi earlier in the day.
Addressing a government event in Godda, Soren criticised the BJP for allegedly using external operatives to “spread poison among the tribals, Dalits, backward classes, and minorities,” and claimed they are involved in breaking families and parties.
“Forget about society, these people work to break families and parties. They poach MLAs. Money is such a thing that it doesn’t take long for politicians to move here and there,” Hemant Soren said.
Champai Soren became Jharkhand’s 12th Chief Minister on February 2, following the resignation Hemant Soren, who stepped down just before being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on money laundering charges.
Hemant Soren was granted bail on June 28 by the high court and was re-elected as the leader of his party’s legislature on July 3. Subsequently, Soren resigned, clearing the way for Hemant Soren to be sworn in as Chief Minister for the third time.
In a post on X om Sunday, Champai Soren said that he had experienced “bitter humiliation” during his tenure, which led him to seek an “alternative path.” He detailed that his government programs were abruptly cancelled in July without his knowledge, and he was unaware of a key legislative meeting where he was reportedly asked to resign.
“Can there be anything more humiliating in a democracy than having a chief minister’s programme cancelled by another person?” he questioned.
Soren claimed that although the CM had the authority to call a meeting of the legislative party, he was not even informed of the meeting’s agenda.
“During the meeting, I was asked to resign. I was taken aback. Since I had no desire for power, I resigned immediately. However, my self-respect was deeply hurt,” Soren added. He mentioned that he was emotional and struggling to control his tears.
“But all he (referring to Chief Minister Hemant Soren without naming him) seemed interested in was the chair. I felt as though I had no existence, no presence in the party to which I had dedicated my entire life,” he said.
“I can never think of harming the party which we have nurtured with our blood and sweat. But circumstances have been created such that…” Champai Soren said, indicating his discontent with the party’s leadership.
He also mentioned that party supremo Shibu Soren is not active in politics due to health reasons. “Had he been active, things would have been different,” Soren said.