Congress accuses BJP of targeting “high ambition” leaders after Champai Soren decides to leave JMM

New Delhi [India], August 28 (ANI): After former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren announced leaving Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on Tuesday accused the BJP of leveraging prominent figures from rival parties who have “high ambitions.”

“Hemant Soren is the biggest leader there and Champai Soren was the acting CM. After Hemant ji returned, he was elected again. It is not right when he (Champai Soren) says that he is not getting respect. We have seen that BJP goes where they see someone who has high ambitions,” Dikshit said while speaking to ANI.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has responded to the news of former CM Champai Soren joining the BJP, saying, “The people of the state will decide if there were any shortcomings.”

This statement suggests that Hemant Soren is leaving it up to the public to judge and evaluate the situation, rather than engaging in a direct confrontation or criticism of Champai Soren’s decision.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to X on Monday to announce that Champai Soren will join BJP on August 30 in Ranchi.”Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a distinguished Adivasi leader of our country, Champai Soren, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah a short while ago. He will officially join the BJP on 30th August in Ranchi,” the Assam CM said.

Meanwhile, independent MP Pappu Yadav criticized Champai Soren’s decision, stating that it would erode trust and undermine the leadership of Hemant Soren, the current Jharkhand Chief Minister.

“Such behaviour will break the trust. The way Hemant Soren has trusted Champai Soren – instead of making CM to any of his family members, he made a party worker the CM. These are the behaviours and characters which lead to distrust of people in leaders…It’s a time when people will come and go but the SC, ST, OBC, Dalits community is more firm with Hemant Soren than ever before…,” said Yadav.

Champai Soren confirmed his plans to join the BJP on August 30, along with his son Babulal Soren, citing his faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

“Today I had started a new chapter. Initially, I thought of taking retirement, but later witnessing the enthusiasm of workers and the public, I thought of being actively involved in politics. Later, I also thought of forming a new organization, but due to time constraints and the unique dynamics in Jharkhand, I decided to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after much contemplation,” said Champai Soren.

“I have full faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, I decided to join the BJP. I will join the BJP on the 30th. Me and my son Babulal Soren will join the BJP in Ranchi. We will go to Jharkhand tomorrow,” he said.

He dismissed criticism from his former party, JMM, saying he didn’t think it was appropriate to respond.

When asked about JMM’s statement that he has been exposed, Champai Soren said, “I don’t think it’s appropriate to respond. I have struggled a lot, and our history is evident in Jharkhand. But we will join the BJP.”