JMM's Champai Soren fuels speculation of defection to BJP as he arrives in Delhi

His visit has caused a political stir, with rumours of his possible switch making rounds ahead of the upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections.

Upon his arrival at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, Soren evaded questions about the potential crossover.

"I have come here for personal work," was his short reply to the reporters.

According to media reports, Soren met with BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata yesterday.

Four other JMM leaders accompanied him on this visit to the capital.

Despite the growing speculation, Soren has publicly rejected any possibility of defection.

"I don't know anything about such speculations and reports... I am where I am," he said on Saturday, reported ANI

Currently, Champai Soren is serving as the water resources minister of Jharkhand.

He was appointed Chief Minister after Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on January 31 in an alleged land scam.

However, Champai Soren resigned from the Chief Minister's position on July 3 after Hemant Soren was granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court.

The decision to replace Soren was made after the INDIA alliance MLAs and leaders agreed to elect Hemant Soren as the leader of the JMM legislature party.

Champai Soren, a close associate of Hemant Soren and his family, represents the Seraikella assembly constituency.

He currently serves as the Minister for Transport, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Caste, and Backward Class Welfare, and also holds the position of Vice-President of JMM.

The timing of Soren's arrival in Delhi has intensified speculation, particularly since he is expected to meet with BJP leaders during his stay.

This development follows his recent meeting with former JMM legislator Lobin Hembrom, who is also rumoured to be in contact with BJP leaders.

Despite the buzz, Soren downplayed the meeting, calling it a routine discussion. Hembrom was recently disqualified as a JMM MLA under the anti-defection law.

Meanwhile, the BJP has been organising meetings with district leaders in Jharkhand, with party’s prominent figures like Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan involved.

However, when asked about the possibility of Soren joining the BJP, Himanta Sarma avoided giving any concrete response.

"No one is in touch with us yet. I am also hearing these reports from the channels. Champai Soren is a very senior leader, I do not want to make any informal comment about him," he said.

Former Jharkhand BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash made a similar statement, saying that BJP’s central leadership would take a decision on the matter.

He stated that he had only heard about it in reports and did not have any verified information. He added that Champai Soren was a “good” CM, but ultimately the BJP’s central leadership would decide about his inclusion in the party.