Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren assures Congress leadership, plans poll strategy to deal with Champai-BJP tango

New Delhi: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren visited the national capital on Tuesday to inaugurate the newly constructed Jharkhand Bhavan and to meet the Congress leadership. The trip took place in the backdrop of ex-CM Champai Soren quitting JMM to join BJP ahead of the assembly elections.

The CM was in New Delhi to reassure allies that even after Champai's departure, JMM led by him had the support of the cadre, said people familiar with the matter. Hemant met Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha's Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and discussed the upcoming state polls. Seat sharing wasn't discussed. It would happen once election dates are announced, the people said.

"The meeting was long due with Rahulji and Khargeji. We will run the coalition government strongly and together we will fight the election," Hemant said after meeting Congress leaders. He also discussed party strategy to deal with the Champai setback. JMM will blame BJP for Champai's exit and will term it a BJP plan to divide the tribal community, the people said. As part of JMM strategy, Hemant and his family "will not directly attack Champai".


JMM is also planning to put up a strong candidate against Champai from Saraikela. In the 2019 assembly polls, Hemant contested from two seats, Dumka and Barhait. He won both the seats and left Dumka, from where his brother Basant Soren got elected.

In 2024, Hemant and his wife Kalpan Soren will contest assembly polls, and a decision is yet to be taken who would contest from two assembly seats, said people in the know.

JMM leaders feel there is a possibility that Kalpana may be pitted against Champai in Saraikela. The party wants to send out a message in Kolhan that even after Champai's exit, Kolhan remains a JMM stronghold, sources said.