Champai Soren Quits As Jharkhand CM, Hemant Soren Back In Hot Seat

Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren resigned on Wednesday, just five months after taking oath, to pave the way for Hemant Soren’s return to the hot seat.

Champai was sworn in on February 2, two days after then-CM Hemant was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a land scam.

With Jharkhand High Court granting Hemant bail five days ago, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader was eager to take back the responsibility.

Champai was reportedly upset initially, but had to give in to the wish of his party and other alliance partners — Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Nationalist Congress Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation.

“When the leadership had changed, I was given responsibility. You know the sequence of events. After Hemant Soren came back, we (the coalition) picked him as our leader and I have resigned. I am following the decision taken by the coalition,” Champai said.

Asked when he would take oath, Hemant Soren, who was standing next to Champai Soren, said more details would be given later.