Union Minister Sanjay Seth Criticizes JMM for Ignoring Former Chief Minister Champai Soren

Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], August 23: Union Minister Sanjay Seth has criticized the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) for not giving importance to former Chief Minister Champai Soren. Seth accused the JMM of sidelining Soren, who is reportedly planning to form a new party ahead of the upcoming Jharkhand assembly polls.

Sanjay Seth’s Criticism

“They (JMM) did not give importance to their leader (Champai Soren) and ordered him to leave the (CM) position,” Seth said on Thursday. He expressed disappointment over the party’s decision and emphasized that Soren is now in the process of forming a new political party. “Champai Soren is a mass leader, and anyone who read his post was saddened by how a leader who had endured so much struggle was insulted,” Seth added.

Champai Soren’s Response

A day after hinting at forming a new party, Champai Soren said that he would form an organization and actively re-enter Jharkhand politics. He also left open the possibility of future alliances, stating, “I will not retire from politics. In the new chapter that I have started, I’ll strengthen the new organization and if I find a good friend along the way, I’ll move ahead with that friendship to serve the people and state.”

Background

On August 18, Soren voiced his grievances in a post on X, claiming that he had been “insulted” during his tenure as Chief Minister. Assembly elections in Jharkhand are expected to be held later this year, with the tenure of the current government due in 2024.

In a long post on X, Champai Soren said that he has always done politics of public concern, from raising the voice of workers against industrial houses at the beginning of his public life to the Jharkhand movement. “I have been trying to get the rights of the tribals, natives, poor, laborers, students, and people of backward classes of the state. Whether I held any post or not, I was always available to the public, raising the issues of those people who had dreamt of a better future with the state of Jharkhand,” he said.

Champai Soren’s Tenure

“Meanwhile, on January 31, after an unprecedented turn of events, the India Alliance chose me to serve the state as the 12th Chief Minister of Jharkhand. From the first day of my tenure to the last day (July 3), I discharged my duties towards the state with full devotion and dedication. During this period, we took many decisions in the public interest and, as always, were always available for everyone. The people of the state will evaluate the decisions we took keeping in mind the elders, women, youth, students, and every section of the society and every person of the state,” he added.

Champai Soren further asserted that during his tenure, he never did anything wrong to anyone, nor allowed anyone to do wrong. “Meanwhile, the day after Hal Diwas, I came to know that all my programs for the next two days have been postponed by the party leadership. One of these was a public program in Dumka, while the other was to distribute appointment letters to PGT teachers. On asking, I came to know that a meeting of the legislative party has been called by the coalition on July 3, till then you cannot attend any program as CM,” Soren said.