Champai drops plan to float party, to Join BJP

Former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren met Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday night and is all set to join the BJP in Ranchi on Friday. Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sharma would be present on the occasion.

"I had first thought of launching my party. But there is no time before the assembly elections and I have full faith in the leadership of PM Modi and home minister Amit Shah," Soeren told mediapersons before departing for Ranchi on Tuesday. "My son and I will join the BJP on Friday in Ranchi."

Sources told ET that the BJP's state leadership told the party that it is better for Champai Soren to join the party rather than launch his own party. If he is joining the BJP, Champai Soren has asked for a ticket for his son Babulal Soren from Ghatshila assembly constituency for which the BJP has agreed.


With Soren in the party fold, the BJP is planning to make him attract the tribal votes in the name of tribal pride. The party has already been trying to make his ouster as CM on July 4 as a poll issue.

To strengthen the campaign, Amit Shah is likely to visit Saraikela.