New Delhi: Former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren is likely to join BJP, sources said on Tuesday. On Monday, there were various conjectures and speculations about his next move after he said that he was “humiliated” by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).
BJP state chief Babulal Marandi on Monday had pointed out that there had been no discussions with the JMM leader regarding his joining the BJP.
According to sources, the BJP is in no hurry to take Champai into the party fold. Before taking him into the party, the BJP is assessing the benefits and losses arising from his joining the saffron party.
The BJP is considering to include him in the party but for that he will have to play the victim card for himself in the state so that the tribal votes can be polarised in their favour, sources pointed out. Champai will woo the peeved leaders of JMM in Jharkhand and prepare his lobby, they added.
By playing the victim card, Champai can garner sympathy among the people regarding the work done by him during his tenure and the issue of being removed by CM Hemant Soren without any information, according to sources. Champai is likely to visit Jharkhand from Tuesday and create a public opinion against JMM, and especially Hemant Soren.
The BJP will watch his move for a week and assess its impact on the ground, sources pointed out. The BJP does not in any way want to take the blame of breaking JMM. It will take decisions keeping in mind what Champai’s next move, sources added. BJP leader and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is closely handling the entire issue, is in regular touch with Champai.
On Sunday, in a social media post, Champai said he was humiliated during the shift of power in Jharkhand in July after Hemant Soren took back the Chief Minister’s seat after being freed from jail. He said he was mulling three options – retirement, joining another party, or starting a new party. Hemant Soren reportedly tried reaching out to Champai many times, but in vain.