Ramdas Soren, the legislator from Ghatshila, was sworn in as a minister in the Jharkhand government on Friday. In a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan, Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Ramdas Soren. He takes over the ministerial role from former Chief Minister Champai Soren in Chief Minister Hemant Soren's cabinet after the latter resigned to join the BJP on Wednesday.
Significantly, Champai Soren, who resigned from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha on Wednesday, also briefly served as the Jharkhand Chief Minister after the current CM Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged money laundering case. However, following Hemant Soren's release from jail on bail after the Supreme Court's verdict, Champai Soren stepped down from the post and rejoined as a Cabinet minister.
Since then, speculation has been growing that all is not well between the two and that Champai Soren is set to join the BJP. This speculation was confirmed when Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on August 26, announced that the former JMM leader would join the BJP on August 30.
"Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a distinguished Adivasi leader of our country, Champai Soren, met Hon’ble Union Home Minister Amit Shah a short while ago. He will officially join the BJP India on August 30 in Ranchi," Sarma posted on X.
Further, post his tweet, Champai Soren also confirmed his intention to join the BJP. Speaking to the media, he said, "When I came on August 18, I made my position clear... At first, I thought that I would retire from politics, but then due to public support, I decided not to."
"I have decided to join the BJP on August 30," he added.
Meanwhile, in his formal resignation from the party, Champai Soren stated that his struggle would continue on the issues of tribals, indigenous people, Dalits, backward communities, and common people of Jharkhand. The former Jharkhand Chief Minister explained that he was forced to take such a step as he was dissatisfied with the party's current style of functioning and policies.
Soren also vowed to continue his fight for the rights and welfare of tribals, Dalits, and other marginalized communities in the state. Emphasizing his commitment to their cause, Soren reiterated that his efforts to uplift these groups would remain steadfast. "Today, I resigned from the primary membership and all posts of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. My struggle on the issues of tribals, Dalits, backward and common people of Jharkhand will continue," Soren wrote on X.
(More details will be added)
