Ranchi
Former Chief Minister and veteran tribal leader Champai Soren on Wednesday resigned from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) saying he was forced to take such a step since he was aggrieved by the party’s present style of functioning and policies.
Champai, who is scheduled to join the BJP on August 30, also resigned as an MLA of the Jharkhand Assembly and a Minister in the Hemant Soren-led Government.
In his resignation letter to party president Shibu Soren, the veteran tribal leader expressed his anguish at the current functioning and policies of the JMM, which, he said, has lost direction. He said the JMM had strayed from the ideals that he and other party workers had fought for under Shibu Soren’s guidance.
“The JMM has always been like a family for me. I had never imagined I would have to leave the party but I had to take the decision given the developments in the last few days and the pain I suffered,” he stated.
“Owing to your health conditions, you are away from active politics and there is no other forum apart from you where I could share my grievance. Under your guidance, I had the opportunity to learn much during the agitation for a separate Jharkhand State and you will always remain my mentor,” Champai said addressing Shibu Soren.
Champai also wrote to the Speaker informing him about his resignation from the Assembly and another to Chief Minister Hemant Soren apprising him of his resignation as a Minister.
“Today I resigned from the primary membership and all posts of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. I will continue to fight on the issues of tribals, Dalits, backward and common people of Jharkhand,” Champai said later.
Champai, a six-time MLA, had assumed office as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand on February 2, after Hemant Soren resigned just before being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case allegedly linked to a land scam, on January 31.
Following grant of bail to Hemant, Champai had to quit the post on July 3. Hemant took oath as the CM again the day after and surprisingly, Champai became a Minister again.
Earlier in the day, Champai asserted that his decision to join the BJP was taken in the interest of Jharkhand and also that he was not afraid of any surveillance.
Incidentally, Champai quitting the JMM came on a day Chief Minister Hemant Soren held an impressive gathering in the former’s home turf of Seraikela to distribute cheques for the Mukhyamantri Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana, under which women aged between 21-50 years are being given Rs 1,000 each every month.
