After days of political turmoil, Champai Soren, the legislative party leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), officially took the oath as the new Chief Minister of Jharkhand on Friday. The oath-taking ceremony, presided over by Governor C P Radhakrishnan, happened at approximately 12:20 PM in the Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi. The development follows in the wake of Governor Radhakrishnans nomination of Soren for the top post on Thursday, responding to the urgent need for leadership following the abrupt resignation of Hemant Soren on January 31. Key facts about Champai Soren:1. Humble beginnings and personal lifeOriginating from a humble background, Sorens journey involves matriculation from a government school, early marriage, and a family of four sons and three daughters. Before entering politics, he worked on farms with his father, Simal Soren.2. Jharkhand Tiger monikerChampai Soren, 67, is affectionately known as the Jharkhand Tiger among his party workers and supporters for his remarkable contribution to the struggle for creating the state in the 1990s. 3. Early political collaborationsHis political journey commenced in the early 1990s when he began working with JMM supremo Shibu Soren, the father of Hemant Soren, which showcased early signs of his commitment to the partys cause.4. Triumph in 1991 by-electionSorens political career gained momentum after he secured victory in the Saraikela seat in a by-election in 1991 as an independent candidate. His subsequent triumph in 1995, contesting on the JMM ticket, demonstrated his growing influence.5. Ministerial stintsServing as a minister in the BJP government led by Arjun Munda from September 2010 to January 2013, Soren continued his political journey as the Food and Civil Supplies and Transport Minister under Hemant Sorens administration in 2019.Journey from farmer to states top postChampai Sorens contribution from a farm worker in the remote Jilingora village to the Chief Ministers office became possible through his hard work, dedication, and grounded nature. Political landscape in Jharkhand AssemblyIn the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, the JMM-led alliance, a total of 47 MLAs (29 from JMM, 17 from Congress, and 1 from RJD), commands the majority. The BJP holds 26 seats, the AJSU Party has three, while the NCP and CPI (ML) each have one lawmaker, alongside two Independents.Precautionary measures against poachingTo safeguard against alleged poaching attempts by the BJP, MLAs from the JMM-led alliance were reallocated to Hyderabad during the day. Hyderabad, governed by the Congress, provides a strategic base to counter potential disruptions. Champai Sorens assumption of the Chief Ministers role brings a new chapter to Jharkhands political landscape, amid both challenges and expectations.
