New Delhi: BJP leaders on Friday continued to criticise the Jharkhand government for removing Champai Soren as the chief minister two days after Hemant Soren, out from jail on bail, returned as CM weeks ahead of assembly polls later this year. Several BJP leaders have termed the move as an insult to the tribal community of Jharkhand.
Champai Soren became chief minister in January this year after Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He resigned on Wednesday to let Hemant take over.
“The moment Hemant Soren took oath as CM, it became clear that no one from his party except his family members can become the CM. With only three months left for the elections, his (Hemant’s) love for power reflects his selfish politics,” Jharkhand BJP state president Babulal Marandi told ET.
Party sources said BJP is looking to use the exit of Champai Soren, a seven-time MLA who has earned the nickname ‘Kolhan Tiger’ because of his involvement in Jharkhand statehood movement, as the CM to win over tribal voters.
BJP Jharkhand election in-charge and union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reached Ranchi on Thursday evening on a two-days visit to take stock of the poll preparation of the party. This is Chouhan’s first visit to the state.
On Thursday evening, he met NDA ally and all Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) leader Sudesh Mahto at the latter’s residence and discussed the political situation in the state.
“JMM and the entire INDIA bloc leaders are only concerned about power and dynasty. It has been proved in Jharkhand that only someone from Hemant Soren’s family will be the chief minister and others cannot aspire to lead the state. The people of Jharkhand are going to teach these parties a lesson in upcoming assembly polls,” Chouhan said in Ranchi.
