On Wednesday (21st August), Former Jharkhand CM Champai Soren announced his plans to form a new political party ahead of the state assembly elections due later this year. While he has categorically ruled out retirement, the former state CM has kept his doors open for alliances. 

The development comes days after the JMM leader shared a long post in which he said that he had a humiliating experience when he was unceremoniously ousted from the post of state CM. Notably, he was appointed as the 12th Chief Minister of the state, after Hemant Soren resigned from the post before being arrested by the ED in a land scam case. However, after the Jharkhand HC granted him bail in that case, Hemant Soren returned as the state CM, ousting his own party leader. 

Stating that the development was a major blow to his self-respect, Champai Soren had hinted about quitting the party. Regarding his future options, he had said that he was open to all three options – retirement, forming a new political party, or joining a party. 

On Wednesday, Champai Soren told reporters, “I had mentioned three options – retirement, organisation, or friend. I will not retire; I will strengthen the party, a new party, and if I meet a good friend on the way, then will move ahead with them.”

VIDEO | Former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren (@ChampaiSoren) announces to float a new political party, and also keeps doors open for alliance.

“I had mentioned three options – retirement, organisation or friend. I will not retire; I will strengthen the party, a new… pic.twitter.com/LfQABpo6Lh

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 21, 2024

#WATCH | Former Jharkhand CM & JMM leader Champai Soren says, “I will not retire from politics. In the new chapter that I have started, I’ll strengthen the new organisation and if I find a good friend in the way, I’ll move ahead with that friendship to serve the people and… pic.twitter.com/Q8VwIK694o

— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2024

When a reporter reminded him that he did not have much time left to establish a new political party before the state went to polls, Soren replied, “That’s not your problem.” He added, “When 30,000-40,000 workers can arrive within a day, then what problem will I have in forming a new (political party).” He added that everything will become clear in a week. 

Earlier on Sunday, he visited Delhi, at a time when speculations were rife about his joining the BJP. However, a day later, Jharkhand BJP chief Babulal Marandi ruled out having any discussions with him regarding his potential switch to the BJP. 

Marandi had said, “No talk was held yet with Champai Soren. He is a seasoned politician and has been part of the separate Jharkhand movement. He will himself decide his own path.”