Champai Soren, former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and one of the senior leaders of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), has made it clear that he is leaving the party. Champai has definitely hinted at options on further plans but has not said anything clearly. Jharkhand Assembly elections are to be held in a few months and in such a situation, there are speculations about his joining Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Amidst the speculations, it is also being talked about that how powerful is Kolhan Tiger Champai in the politics of Jharkhand and how strong is his hold on the ground?
How powerful is Kolhan Tiger?
Kolhan Tiger Champai Soren comes from the influential Santhal tribe of Jharkhand. According to the 2011 census, the participation of tribes in the total population of Jharkhand is 3 crore 29 lakh 88 thousand 134, which is 86 lakh 45 thousand 42 people. In this too, Santhal population alone is 27 lakh 54 thousand 723 lakh. Champai Soren is counted among the top leaders of the Santhal tribe. Champai is also considered to have strong influence among the people of other tribes who played an active role in the movement demanding Jharkhand statehood.
The Kolhan region from which Champai Soren comes, includes districts like Seraikela, East Singhbhum and West Singhbhum. There are 14 assembly seats in these three districts. In the 2019 Jharkhand elections, BJP could not even open its account in this region. JMM had won 11 seats in this region, while Congress had won two seats and an independent candidate had won one.
The then Chief Minister Raghubar Das also had to face defeat on the Jamshedpur seat. Jamshedpur seat also falls in Kolhan region. For this, along with Champai’s hold on the voters, strong fortifications and strategy were also given. If Kolhan is called the stronghold of JMM, then its strategist is considered Champai.
What is the reason for Champai Soren being a rebel?
Champai Soren is one of those leaders who has been with Shibu Soren since the time of Jharkhand state movement. Champai’s stature in JMM and the Soren family can also be gauged from the fact that on many occasions the party’s working president Hemant Soren has been seen touching his feet and taking blessings. Champai’s closeness to the Soren family was also a big reason that when Hemant was about to go to jail, the party chose Shibu Soren’s daughter-in-law Sita Soren for the post of CM even though she was an MLA. However, this decision also became the reason for Champai’s displeasure.
Also read: ‘Welcome to the NDA family…’, Jitan Ram Manjhi posted for Champai Soren.
Champai was handed over the command of the government when ED arrested Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a corruption case. Just before his arrest, Hemant submitted his resignation to the Governor and after this a new government was formed under the leadership of Champai. Champai has also posted on social media and explained the reasons for being a rebel. Champai posted on social media platform X saying that he was removed from the post of Chief Minister after being insulted. The agenda of the meeting of the legislature party was not even disclosed and all the programs were canceled two days before it. Was forced to resign from the post of legislative party leader.
What threat can there be to the government in Jharkhand due to Champai being a rebel?
The strength of Jharkhand Assembly is 82, out of which elections are held for 81 seats. Seven seats of the Assembly are vacant and the total strength of the Assembly is currently 75 including nominated members. In such a situation, support of 38 members is required for majority. Hemant government has the support of 26 MLAs of JMM, 16 of Congress, one MLA each of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik and RJD as well as one nominated member. Hemant government has the support of 45 MLAs in the assembly. In such a situation, even if it is assumed that half a dozen MLAs including Champai Soren will leave the party, there is no threat to the government. Assembly elections are also to be held in a few months. In such a situation, even the opposition would not want the ruling party to be given a chance to portray itself as a victim among the public.
What benefit will BJP get from this?
Now the question is, what benefit will BJP get from this whole incident? Despite all efforts, BJP could not break the fort of Kolhan region in the last elections. From candidate selection to deciding the strategy for the seats in and around Kolhan region, Champai Soren’s role in JMM has been important till now. BJP leaders feel that with Champai leaving JMM, BJP’s path in this region will not be that difficult.
Also read: Resignation from the post of CM, insult and resentment… The whole story of Champai Soren’s rebellion in Jharkhand
If Champai joins BJP, the party will get a strong tribal leader. Secondly, BJP will also get a chance to corner Hemant Soren and JMM on the pitch of dynasticism. After Champai was removed from the post of CM, Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi had also said – It has been proved that even if someone is a tribal, he cannot tolerate a person from outside the family on the post of CM. One strategy which is being said to be a game changer for JMM is the Mukhyamantri Mainiyan Yojana. This scheme was announced when Champai was the CM and the party will try to ensure that the credit for it does not go to JMM.
How much loss will JMM suffer?
If Champai joins BJP, it will solve JMM’s problems. The party is surrounded by allegations of corruption and nepotism against CM Hemant. In such a situation, if a leader of clean image leaves the party and joins the opposition camp, it will definitely be a moral loss. JMM leaders are rejecting the estimate of any kind of political loss due to this, but it is being said that the party may have to suffer the loss of tribal votes and assembly seats, even if only a little.
How can JMM capitalize on this issue in the elections?
CM Hemant Soren has targeted BJP without taking names regarding the Champai rebellion. Hemant Soren said that these people bring people from Gujarat, Assam, Maharashtra and work to sow poison among the tribals, Dalits, backward classes and minorities and make them fight with each other. Leave the society aside, these people do the work of breaking houses and breaking parties. Every day we will buy this MLA, sometimes we will buy that MLA and money is such a thing that even politicians do not take time to move here and there, no problem.
Also read: Will you join BJP or form your own party? Which way will Champai Soren, rebel from JMM, go?
After the statement of CM Hemant Soren, JMM’s strategy is to set a narrative among the public that while going to jail, the CM trusted only Champai among so many MLAs, honored him by handing over his chair, but now he is strangling the trust. While BJP seems to be moving ahead on the strategy of cornering JMM on the pitch of tribal identity in the name of Champai, JMM is trying to maintain Hemant’s victim image after the ED action.
Is the role of Himanta Biswa or Shivraj behind the rebellion of Champai?
What is the role of Jharkhand BJP’s election in-charge Shivraj Singh Chauhan and co-in-charge Himanta Biswa Sarma in Champai Chapter? This has also become a hot topic in the developments in Jharkhand. Recently, CM of Assam and Chanakya of North-East Himanta Biswa Sarma had reached Ranchi to attend a program. Himanta fiercely attacked JMM and Hemant Soren’s government but praised the work of Champai Soren’s government. Himanta said that whatever little work has been done has been done only during the tenure of Champai Soren. Chief Minister Mainiyan Scheme is also to be given by Champai Government. Even before this, Himanta had praised the Champai government on many occasions.
What is the result of rebellion of Geeta Koda and Sita Soren from JMM?
Even before Champai, many leaders had left JMM. From Hemlal Murmu, Suraj Mandal, JP Patel and Arjun Munda to Sita Soren and Geeta Koda, who left the party in the recent Lok Sabha elections, there is a long list of leaders who have left JMM and joined other parties. Many leaders also joined BJP but there is only one Arjun Munda who became the Chief Minister and also the Union Minister. BJP had made Sita Soren and Geeta Koda its candidates in the Lok Sabha elections but both the leaders were defeated.