RANCHI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday met Champai Soren after he joined the BJP and invited the latter to visit Assam and have a meal at his house.
After the meeting, CM Himanta said, “Yesterday Champai Soren joined BJP, so I thought I should go and wish him, so I came in the morning and talked to him. I have invited Champai Soren to Assam. I have also invited him to visit and worship at the Maa Kamakhya Temple and also have a meal at my house. I came to invite him.”
Champai Soren joined the BJP at an event in Ranchi on Friday which was attended by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi among other state BJP leaders.
He also promised to work towards the development of Jharkhand as he expressed his faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“I will work for the development of Jharkhand and we will stop infiltration from Bangladesh. Tribal villages are vanishing due to Bangladeshi infiltration. Tribal existence is endangering in Jharkhand. To save tribals, we have to remain with BJP,” Champai Soren said following the joining.
Soren resigned from all positions and the primary membership of JMM on August 28. He became the chief minister of Jharkhand on February 2, shortly after Hemant Soren resigned as the CM before being arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in a money laundering case. In less than two months, Soren had to step down to allow the return of Hemant Soren to the chair following the latter’s bail in the case.
The development comes as the state is set to witness an election to the 81-member legislative assembly later this year as the current government’s tenure ends in 2024. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is yet to announce the dates.
Meanwhile, expelled JMM leader Lobin Hembrom joins BJP in the presence of state BJP chief Babulal Marandi and former CM Champai Soren. Lobin Hembrom was expelled from JMM for 6 years earlier this year. (ANI)