NEW DELHI: Veteran Jharkhand leader Champai Soren, a seven-time MLA and former Chief Minister, is contesting the Seraikela seat in the 2024 Assembly elections. Once a key figure in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Soren, famously known as the “Kolhan Tiger,” joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in August 2024, altering the political landscape in the tribal heartland.
In this election, Soren faces Ganesh Mahali, his former party colleague from the JMM. Early results show him leading with a margin of 26,704 votes. in Seraikela, a constituency he has dominated for over three decades.
Soren, 67, began his political career in 1991, representing Seraikela in the Bihar Legislative Assembly before Jharkhand’s statehood. A trusted ally of JMM co-founder Shibu Soren, he played a pivotal role in the Jharkhand statehood movement. Since 2005, he has held the Seraikela seat through four consecutive terms with the JMM.
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His recent switch to the BJP comes after a tumultuous year. Following the arrest of Chief Minister Hemant Soren on land-grab charges in January, Champai briefly served as Chief Minister for five months before stepping down amid controversy. He cited “developing the state” and “preserving tribal identity” as key motivations for joining the BJP, which aims to strengthen its tribal vote base.
The 2024 elections, held in two phases on November 13 and 20, recorded a record voter turnout of 67.74%. Both the BJP-led NDA and JMM-led INDIA bloc are vying for power, with exit polls favouring a BJP resurgence.
Soren’s political journey includes roles as Jharkhand’s Transport and Tribal Welfare Minister, where he championed tribal rights and development. His move to the BJP signals a strategic shift, potentially consolidating the party’s influence in tribal regions.
As counting continues, all eyes are on Champai Soren’s ability to retain his stronghold under a new banner, marking a critical moment in Jharkhand’s political landscape.