English
Senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and former chief minister Wednesday resigned from the party’s primary membership ahead of his scheduled switch to the BJP, stating that he will continue to fight for the cause of tribals, Dalits and other backward communities in the JMM-ruled state.
“Today I resigned from the primary membership and all posts of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. My struggle will continue on the issues of tribals, Dalits, backward and common people of Jharkhand will continue,” Soren said, asserting that he was “forced” to quit the JMM due to the party’s present style of functioning and policies.
In a letter to party supremo Shibu Soren, the senior tribal leader said he was “forced to quit” after being “aggrieved by the present style of functioning and policies” of the JMM.
Champai Soren, who was briefly appointed as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand following the arrest of Hemant Soren, is scheduled to join the BJP soon.
Earlier this week, Soren announced his decision to join the saffron party following a meeting Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
“My decision (to join BJP) is in the interest of Jharkhand… I am used to struggles,” Soren told reporters in Ranchi on Wednesday evening where he arrived along with his son and was greet by a large number of his supporters.
Asked about the claims made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma that he is under “surveillance”, the former CM said he is not afraid of any situation.
Sarma, earlier in the day, had alleged that Champai Soren had been under surveillance of his own government’s police for the last five months.
Two sub-inspectors (SIs) of Special Branch of Jharkhand Police were caught by Soren’s people in a Delhi hotel while they were keeping watch on the ex-chief minister, he claimed.
Champai Soren had assumed office as the 12th chief minister of Jharkhand on February 2, shortly after his predecessor Hemant Soren resigned ahead of his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged money laundering case.
In July, Champai quit the post and Hemant Soren took oath as the CM again after he was released on bail.
(With PTI inputs)
