NEW DELHI: Internal discord has emerged within Jharkhand BJP as state unit chief Babulal Marandi is reportedly frustrated over Champai Soren’s induction, and his exclusion from key negotiations.
A situation of internal strife has emerged within the Jharkhand unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as state BJP chief Babulal Marandi is reportedly unhappy with the induction of former chief minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha rebel, Champai Soren, into the party.
According to sources within the party, Marandi is disappointed that he was excluded from any negotiation meetings with Soren. The discussions were instead led by former chief minister Arjun Munda, Assam Chief Minister and State Co-incharge Himanta Biswa Sarma, apart from a top BJP leader. Previously, Marandi had even asserted that no talks had taken place with Soren.
Soon after news broke about Soren joining BJP, Marandi met with Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi. While Marandi referred to the meeting as a “courtesy call,” political observers suggest he might have used the opportunity to discuss his concerns. Although Marandi did not publicly express his disappointment, he acknowledged that some party members might be “disturbed” by Soren’s induction, particularly those hoping to contest in the upcoming state elections.
He reassured that there was no cause for concern, saying, “We will speak to them and clarify the current situation.”
Marandi’s dissatisfaction could be rooted in several factors, such as political rivalry, ideological differences, or worries about Soren’s influence within the party. Additionally, Marandi seems uneasy about his position within the BJP, as his stature has reportedly diminished. Initially, when Marandi was appointed as the state president of Jharkhand, many believed he would be the party’s chief ministerial candidate in the upcoming Assembly elections. However, due to his perceived decline in political standing, the party is now expected to contest the elections without a clear chief ministerial candidate, which has also contributed to his disappointment.
A party leader on conditions of anonymity revealed that Marandi’s dissatisfaction stems from Soren’s significant political influence in Jharkhand, particularly as a prominent tribal leader. With Soren’s inclusion in BJP, Marandi fears that his own already diminished influence over the tribal community might be further eroded. Additionally, there is concern that Soren, given his stature, may position himself as a strong contender for the role of chief minister, creating tension with other senior BJP leaders.
Aditya Rathi, a political analyst closely following Jharkhand politics, said that Champai Soren, known as the “Kolhan Tiger,” is a well-known tribal leader in Jharkhand. His inclusion in the BJP has likely left Marandi uncertain about his standing within the party. Rathi noted that Soren’s popularity among the tribals, demonstrated by his electoral successes—once as an independent and five times on JMM ticket from the Saraikela Assembly constituency, a tribal stronghold—has contributed to Marandi’s unease.
Rathi further explained that Marandi had initially suggested that Soren should not join BJP directly, but instead form his own party and align with the BJP-led NDA for the upcoming Jharkhand elections. This strategy was aimed at weakening the tribal vote bank of the Hemant Soren-led JMM. However, with Champai joining the BJP outright, Marandi, who was Jharkhand’s first chief minister, is reportedly frustrated by how the situation has unfolded.