Amid Political Turmoil, Jharkhand Gets Chief Minister

Ranchi, February 2, 2024 In a swift turn of events, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) legislature party leader Champai Soren has assumed office as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, succeeding Hemant Soren. Hemant Soren resigned from the position and faced arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Here’s an overview of the recent developments.

Champai Soren Sworn In as Chief Minister

Champai Soren, on February 2, took the oath as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand at the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi. This followed Hemant Soren’s resignation and subsequent arrest by the ED. The new Chief Minister wasted no time and urged the governor to expedite the formation of the government due to the prevailing “confusion” in the state.

Political Crisis Deepens

With the state in a state of uncertainty since Hemant Soren’s resignation, Champai Soren has been granted a 10-day window to prove his government’s majority. State Congress chief Rajesh Thakur, representing a party in the JMM-led alliance, confirmed this development.

Who is Champai Soren?

Champai Soren, a 67-year-old tribal leader, now holds the distinction of being the 12th Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Hailing from the Seraikela-Kharsawan districts, he is the sixth CM from Kolhan region.

Oath-Taking Ceremony

During the oath-taking ceremony, senior Congress leader Alamgir Alam and RJD leader Satyanand Bhokta were sworn in as cabinet ministers, adding strength to Champai Soren’s government.

Background and Political Journey

Champai Soren, the eldest son of farmer Simal Soren, participated actively in the Jharkhand movement in the late ’90s alongside Shibu Soren. He gained prominence as the ‘Jharkhand Tiger’ and embarked on his political journey by becoming an independent MLA in 1991. Over the years, he has faced electoral victories and defeats, ultimately serving as a cabinet minister in the BJP government headed by Arjun Munda from September 2010 to January 2013. In 2019, under Hemant Soren’s leadership, Champai Soren took charge as the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies and Transport.

Majority Alliance and the Road Ahead

In the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, the majority alliance comprises 47 MLAs, with JMM holding 29, Congress 17, and RJD 1. The BJP has 26 members, while the AJSU Party has three. To prevent potential poaching attempts by the BJP, lawmakers of the JMM-led alliance are being moved to Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, governed by the Congress. As Champai Soren assumes the Chief Minister’s role amid this political turmoil, the coming days will be crucial for Jharkhand’s political landscape. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story