Former Jharkhand CM Champai Soren Joins BJP, Vows to Curb Infiltration

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren joins BJP, pledging to stop Bangladeshi infiltration and work towards the state's development. He expresses faith in PM Modi and Amit Shah. Soren resigned from JMM and joined BJP amid upcoming state elections, highlighting tribal welfare as a key concern.

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and senior leader Champai Soren vowed to halt infiltration from Bangladesh into the state after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday. He also pledged to work towards the development of Jharkhand, expressing his trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

'I will work for the development of Jharkhand and we will stop infiltration from Bangladesh. Tribal villages are vanishing due to Bangladeshi infiltration. Tribal existence is endangered in Jharkhand. To save tribals, we have to remain with BJP,' Champai Soren stated post his joining. 'Only the BJP can raise this issue. So I joined the BJP. I have faith in the PM of the country and Amit Shah. I am now with the largest party in the world. Earlier I was in a regional party. Jai Shree Ram,' Soren further added.

Champai Soren joined the BJP at an event in Ranchi on Friday. The event was attended by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi, along with other state BJP leaders. Soren resigned from all positions and primary membership of JMM on August 28. He became the chief minister of Jharkhand on February 2, shortly after Hemant Soren resigned as CM before being arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in a money laundering case. In less than two months, Soren had to step down to allow Hemant Soren's return following the latter's bail in the case.

The development comes as the state is set to witness elections to the 81-member legislative assembly later this year, with the current government's tenure ending in 2024. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has yet to announce the dates. In a later development, JMM MLA from Ghatshila, Ramdas Soren, took oath as a state cabinet minister earlier today, replacing Champai Soren in the state cabinet. Champai Soren announced his decision to join the BJP on August 27, citing the welfare of tribals in the state as the primary reason (ANI).

(With inputs from agencies.)