Champai Soren Joining BJP Is Not All Good News, Brings Challenges Of Controlling Factionalism In Party

Former chief minister (CM) of Jharkhand Champai Soren announced on Tuesday (27 August) his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move comes just months ahead of the Jharkhand assembly election.

Champai has been a companion of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder Shibu Soren. He was notably a pioneer of the movement for a separate Jharkhand.

With the introduction of such a veteran leader into the BJP ahead of a crucial state election, it can only be a positive move for the party, right? Yes, but it's not as black and white.

Champai: A Quick Background

When age compelled Shibu to move away from active politics, he propelled his son Hemant, instead of Champai, to the top job in the state, and thus, Hemant became chief minister of Jharkhand.

Champai became chief minister in February this year when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Hemant in a land scam case. But when Hemant came out of jail on bail, he asked Champai to step down — this happened last month — due to which the latter felt 'humiliated' and decided to change his political course.

Earlier, Champai said he had three options — leave politics, join a different party, or form a political party of his own.

Last week, when his talks with BJP leaders could not fructify, he announced the launch of his party while saying everything will be clear within a week.

However, after meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP's Jharkhand election co-in-charge, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Monday (26 August) night, Champai's entry into the BJP was sealed.

Champai said he decided to join the BJP because it is the only party that is raising the issue of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, which is hurting the interests of tribals in the state.

He expressed his faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah. He will officially join the party on 30 August in Ranchi.

Champai A Big Plus For BJP

Champai can help the BJP get tribal votes. The party has struggled in this area in both the 2019 assembly election and the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

The BJP couldn't win any of the scheduled tribe (ST)-reserved seats in 2024. In the 2019 election, it won only two of those 28 seats. Moreover, it drew a blank in the 14 seats of the Kolhan region.

Kolhan is a tribal-dominated region in south Jharkhand. It has three districts: East and West Singhbhum and Seraikela Kharsawan.

Champai is a seven-time member of the legislative assembly (MLA) from Seraikella, a seat he has held since 1991, when Jharkhand was a part of undivided Bihar. This speaks to the kind of hold he has over the region.

He is also known as 'Kolhan Tiger' and has gained the trust of the local tribals by getting jobs for the youth in TISCO and other companies.

The BJP hopes that Champai will help it to win eight to 10 seats in the Kolhan region and, riding on the anti-incumbency wave and corruption charges against Hemant, it will form the government in the state.

The candidate selection in the Kolhan region is likely to be in the hands of Champai. But not just in this region; Champai's presence will benefit the party at the state level.

It is expected that when Champai joins the BJP on 30 August, JMM will witness large-scale defections. Those who feel that the JMM has become a one-family party will come along with Champai.

Champai has already claimed that 30,000 to 40,000 JMM workers have supported him. This means that Champai can help the BJP dig into the core voter base of the JMM.

The Downside Of Champai's Entry

But this does not mean that Champai's joining will bring only benefits for the BJP. It also leaves the party vulnerable to factionalism, which it has faced for years, and the potential power struggle.

Another tribal leader and BJP Jharkhand president, Babulal Marandi, is reportedly unhappy with Champai joining the party. He was not even part of any negotiation meetings with Champai.

Only the former Jharkhand chief minister Arjun Munda, Sarma, and Shah have reportedly held talks with Champai. Earlier, Marandi even claimed that no talks had happened with Champai.

Soon after the news of Champai joining the BJP came out, Marandi met PM Modi in New Delhi. While he called it a 'courtesy meet', political observers say he might have met the Prime Minister to discuss the boundaries.

It is unknown as yet what was offered to Champai for joining the BJP, but a major ministry portfolio could definitely be one of the promises.

The BJP is going into the election without a chief minister face, which means that Champai will also try to project himself as a candidate for the job, tiffing with other senior BJP leaders.

For now, it is important for the BJP to go into the election with a united house and discuss leadership issues only when it wins the election.