NEW DELHI: Rumors are rife about Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) senior leader Champai Soren (67), jumping ship to saffron camp after getting disheartened by his removal from the post of Chief Minister. Soren reached Delhi on Sunday accompanied by three MLAs. It is purported that the former CM of Jharkhand held discussions with BJP leaders.

In a post on X, Champai Soren was forthright and criticised JMM for humiliating him and also mulled three prudent options; whether to start a new party, join another party or retire from politics.

There are indications that the assembly elections may take place in Jharkhand during December. JMM, the main party in the ruling India Alliance, is now on the defensive after Soren’s volte-face. It is rumoured that the BJP has assigned Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to wheedle Soren to join the saffron camp.

Along with Champai Soren, a section of JMM and Congress MLAs are also reported to join the saffron party. Soren met with former JMM legislator Lobin Hembrom, a politician with great influence in BJP, before arriving in Delhi from Kolkata where the former Jharkhand CM met with BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.

Champai Soren is a leader nicknamed the Tiger of Jharkhand and 'Hanuman' (confidante) of Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Meanwhile, work has started with the JMM camp to persuade Champai Soren to drop his decision and return to JMM. Hemant Soren's government has the support of 47 members in the 81-member assembly. JMM 30, Congress 16, RJD 1.

After Hemant Soren was released on bail in the ED case, Champai Soren was immediately removed from the post of Chief Minister. It is also reported that Champai Soren was left dejected after the party leadership denied a seat for his son from the Ghatshila seat.