NEW DELHI: Jharkhand’s former chief minister on Sunday, 18 Aug, ended the mystery on whether he would remain with Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) ahead of the scheduled elections in the state in November this year, saying he was devastated as his self-respect was harmed when he was asked to resign from his post after Chief Minister Hemant Soren was released on bail.
In a heartfelt post on X, Champai recounted the series of events leading up to his decision to move on from JMM.
In his post, Champai said, “The day after Day, I learned that all my scheduled events for the next two days had been canceled by the party leadership. This included a significant public event in Dumka and a ceremony for distributing appointment letters to PGT teachers.”
He further expressed his distress over the situation, adding, “Is there anything more humiliating in democracy than having a Chief Minister’s programs canceled by someone else? Despite my willingness to attend the legislative meeting later, my request was denied. I felt broken for the first time in my four-decade-long political career.”
Champai had to step down from his role as the 12th Chief Minister of the state on July 3rd amidst a backdrop of internal party disputes and what he described as significant personal humiliation.
Champai’s tenure as Chief Minister started on January 31, following his selection by the India Alliance. Throughout his time in office, he was known for his dedication to serving marginalized communities and his commitment to the state’s development.
Champai said he was notably surprised when he was asked to resign during a legislative party meeting, a decision he accepted immediately despite his personal hurt. “I had no attachment to power, but my self-respect was deeply wounded. I felt as if my existence in the party, to which I had devoted my entire life, was being negated,” he said.
Following Champai’s resignation, the India Alliance quickly appointed Hemant Soren as the new Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Hemant Soren, a prominent leader in Jharkhand politics and a member of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), assumed office on July 4th. His appointment marks a significant shift in the state’s political dynamics as the new administration prepares to address ongoing challenges and expectations from the electorate.
As Champai embarks on a new chapter in his life, he says has left the door open to various possibilities, including retirement from politics, forming a new political organization, or continuing his journey with new allies. The upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections will likely be a crucial period to watch for further developments in this evolving political narrative.