Ex-Jharkhand Minister Champai Soren to join BJP on Friday, Himanta Biswa Sarma confirms

Last week, the 67-year-old leader, who had to quit as Chief Minister to make way for Hemant Soren upon his release from jail, accused the party leadership of insulting him and announced that he would soon decide on his next political course.

The veteran leader said he would not quit politics, asserting that an option to float a new political outfit was always open to him.

Amid a major buzz over his big switch, Soren, two weeks ago, asserted "hum jahan par hain vahi par hain (I am where I am)". 

The same week, he arrived in Delhi, claiming he was there for personal work.

Earlier in the day, Himanta Sarma, who is BJP's election in-charge for Jharkhand that will go to the polls later this year, said "I want Champai Soren to join the BJP and strengthen us".

The deal was finalised a few hours later. Sarma posted a picture of Champai Soren meeting Amit Shah and announced the new inductee's date of joining.

Champai Soren had taken oath as the 12th Chief Minister of Jharkhand on Feb 2 this year.

He resigned from the post of Chief Minister on July 3, a day before JMM executive president Hemant Soren took oath as the 13th chief minister of Jharkhand on July 4.