Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Champai Soren is on his way to the National Capital, where he is likely to meet senior BJP leaders, reports hinted quoiting sources on Sunday, August 18. According to the reports, Champai is with six-party MLAs traveling to Delhi and may switch to the NDA side.
Earlier on Saturday, Champai met BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and is reportedly in touch with Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Champai Soren was at a Kolkata hotel last night. He took a morning flight to Delhi with his personal staff.
However, when asked about the switching to the BJP, he stated that he didn't know about the news. "We do not know whether there are rumors or not. If we do not know the news, how will we assess the truth and lies? We do not know anything. We are where we are," said the former Jharkhand chief minister.
"I have not met anyone. I have come here for personal work," he told the media when asked if he met West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata. "I have come here for my personal work. Abhi hum jahan par hain vahi par hain."
According to the Business Today report, Six MLAs are traveling with Champai to Delhi: Dashrath Gagrai, Ramdas Soren, Chmra Linda, Lobin Hembrom, and Samir Mohanty. These JMM MLAs are also not in touch with Hemant Soren's party. For the last few days, reports have been speculating that Champai Soren and his MLAs will join the saffron party soon.
According to the local media reports, Soren was upset about how he was removed from the chief minister's post after Hemant Sorent returned from jail. "I don’t know anything about such speculations and reports... I am where I am," he told reporters here before leaving for Jamshedpur.
JMM MLA Manoj Pandey, responding to the news about former CM's joining BJP, said, "I have no information about this. Until an official statement is released, I cannot believe it...However, I hope that he will not rebel against the party."
“Hemant Soren insulted Champai Soren by forcing him out after five months of being the CM, despite Champai Soren saying that he wanted to work more. He is a strong leader from Kolhan region and is known as ‘Kolhan Tiger’. He was removed in a merciless manner. As far as his entry in the party (BJP) is concerned, the decision is in the hands of our central and state leadership,” said BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo.