• Source:JND
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Champai Soren, the former Jharkhand Chief Minister and leader of JMM, has officially announced his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking to reporters, the senior JMM leader said that he had made his position clear on August 18. On being asked if he is joining the saffron party, Soren said that he will formally join the party on September 30.

"At first, I thought that I would retire from politics but then due to the public support, I decided not to...I have decided to join the BJP...," he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

On Monday, Soren met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In a post on X,  sharing a photo of the veteran Jharkhand leader meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with him, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that Soren was joining the BJP.

"Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a distinguished Adivasi leader of our country, @ChampaiSoren Ji met Hon'ble Union Home Minister @AmitShah Ji a short while ago. He will officially join the @BJP4India on 30th August in Ranchi," Sarma posted on X.

ALSO READ: Champai Soren Meets Amit Shah, To Join BJP On Aug 30, Confirms Himanta Biswa Sarma

Sarma had earlier on Monday said that Champai Soren's joining the BJP would further strengthen the party. His remarks came amid growing speculation that Champai Soren, who was in the national capital for the past few days, might switch sides.

"I want Champai Soren to join the BJP and strengthen us. However, since he is a very prominent leader, it is not appropriate for me to comment on him. If he is in Delhi, we will try to communicate with him," Sarma told media persons. Responding to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's allegations that the BJP is attempting to divide his party, Sarma, who is BJP's election in-charge for Jharkhand that will go to the polls later this year.

Earlier, Soren hinted at forming a new party, after Soren took to social media to voice his grievances, stating that he had been "insulted" during his tenure as Chief Minister and that all options remained open ahead of the forthcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections.

He also listed out, in a post on X, various instances when he was not allowed to call a meeting of the legislative party and was asked to resign suddenly, which prompted him "to look for an alternative path."

"I have been trying to get the rights of the tribals, natives, poor, labourers, students and people of backward classes of the state. Whether I held any post or not, I was always available to the public, raising the issues of those people who had dreamt of a better future with the state of Jharkhand," he said.

ALSO READ: Will JMM Meet Similar Fate As Shiv Sena, NCP After Champai Soren's Potential Exit From Party

As the political climate in Jharkhand intensified, all eyes were on Champai Soren and his next move, with significant implications for the upcoming state elections.

Assembly elections are going to be held in Jharkhand this year in 2024, and the BJP has fully prepared to corner the government.

(With input from agencies)